Chennai: TVK chief C Joseph Vijay on Thursday met Tamil Nadu governor Rajendra Arlekar for the second time at the Lok Bhavan. The governor again asked him to prove majority by showing the signatures of 118 MLAs.
"During the meeting, the governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established," the Lok Bhavan said.
TVK is 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118. On Wednesday, Congress provided conditional support to the party. "People across Tamil Nadu want our leader Vijay to become the chief minister," TVK joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar said. "That is why they voted for us in large numbers and have made us the largest party. We expect the governor to consider this and invite TVK to form the government. We believe the governor will act according to the law. If not, we have to take the necessary steps to move forward."
Responding to a question from reporters, Nirmal Kumar clarified that TVK had not approached NDA parties for support and said the party had no such plans.
"It is highly unfortunate that the governor is behaving like a BJP functionary," Congress MP Manickam Tagore told reporters. "Constitutional experts such as Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi have also expressed that the governor's refusal to deny the right to Vijay is unconstitutional. Vijay is the leader of the largest party. He should be sworn in and given the opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the House." He said it was unfortunate that BJP was engaging in politics and causing delays by exploiting the office of the governor.
TVK has reached out to CPI(M), CPI and VCK for support. VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan said a decision has not been made yet.
In a resolution on Thursday, MK Stalin-led DMK launched a scathing attack on Congress for its decision to withdraw from the secular progressive alliance.
"During the meeting, the governor explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established," the Lok Bhavan said.
TVK is 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118. On Wednesday, Congress provided conditional support to the party. "People across Tamil Nadu want our leader Vijay to become the chief minister," TVK joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar said. "That is why they voted for us in large numbers and have made us the largest party. We expect the governor to consider this and invite TVK to form the government. We believe the governor will act according to the law. If not, we have to take the necessary steps to move forward."
Responding to a question from reporters, Nirmal Kumar clarified that TVK had not approached NDA parties for support and said the party had no such plans.
"It is highly unfortunate that the governor is behaving like a BJP functionary," Congress MP Manickam Tagore told reporters. "Constitutional experts such as Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi have also expressed that the governor's refusal to deny the right to Vijay is unconstitutional. Vijay is the leader of the largest party. He should be sworn in and given the opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the House." He said it was unfortunate that BJP was engaging in politics and causing delays by exploiting the office of the governor.
TVK has reached out to CPI(M), CPI and VCK for support. VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan said a decision has not been made yet.
In a resolution on Thursday, MK Stalin-led DMK launched a scathing attack on Congress for its decision to withdraw from the secular progressive alliance.
