Editorial backlash grows as governor stalls Vijay’s claim to form government

As Governor Rajendra Arlekar continues to be unconvinced of TVK chief C Joseph Vijay’s numbers to form a government despite the party emerging as the single largest force in Tamil Nadu, some of India’s biggest newspapers have issued blunt editorials accusing him of subverting constitutional convention and inviting political instability. 

TVK made a blockbuster entry into Tamil Nadu’s political landscape when it won 108 seats in the recent assembly elections – remarkable for a party barely two years old. But falling 10 seats short of a majority in the 234-member house, it is now navigating the realpolitik of coalition-building while contending with a governor appointed by the BJP-led Centre.

Congress’ five members have since backed TVK, taking its tally to 113 – still five short of a majority. Yet when Vijay staked his claim to form the government twice, the governor rebuffed him both times, stating in a press release that TVK had not established the “requisite majority support” to govern.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, political observers and opposition parties, who argue that the governor must respect the electoral mandate, invite Vijay to form the government, and let him prove his majority on the floor of the house.

The Tribune

In its editorial, the paper said the Supreme Court has repeatedly clarified the constitutional position, emphasising that majority must be tested on the floor of the House, not in the Governor’s subjective satisfaction.

“The Karnataka 2018 episode is the clearest precedent, when the BJP emerged as the single largest party but lacked a majority. The Governor invited it to form the government and granted 15 days to prove numbers. The SC intervened, ordered an immediate floor test to prevent prolonged political manoeuvring and possible defections. Unable to gather support, BJP’s Yediyurappa resigned before the trust vote, after which HD Kumaraswamy formed the government with Congress support. In 2017, in Goa, the Governor invited a post-poll coalition because it demonstrated majority support earlier than the Congress, despite the latter being the largest party. These cases establish a crucial principle: numbers on the Assembly floor matter more than claims outside it.”

“If Vijay can demonstrate a workable majority, he should be allowed to take oath and face a floor test within days. Equally, if another coalition reaches the majority mark first, it too has a legitimate constitutional claim. Hung verdicts are part of democracy. Constitutional ambiguity should not be.”

Hindustan Times

The paper asserted what “should have happened” in Chennai. 

“Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar should have invited C Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu assembly, to form the government in the state, giving him a week or two to prove his majority on the floor of the House. There's enough precedence and also established jurisprudence to indicate that this is how things should have gone down.” 

“Instead, the Governor seems to have taken it upon himself – there are no rival claimants because no one else comes as close to the halfway mark in the House by numbers as the TVK does - to insist that Vijay (the popular actor is better known by his mononym) prove that he has the requisite numbers before being invited to form the government. Now, the uncertainty following the Governor’s action (or inaction) could create ideal circumstances for cynical horse trading and, possibly, mischief.” 

“If the TVK approaches the Supreme Court, the outcome is, again, a given, and the wise men in Chennai’s Lok Bhavan and New Delhi know this - which only adds more mystery to Arlekar's reluctance. Still, it is very much in keeping with how the relationship of Lok Bhavans with state governments not formed by the BJP or its allies has played out.” 

Deccan Chronicle

In its editorial, the paper said Arlekar’s insistence that Vijay produce before him evidence that he enjoyed a majority “lacks merit” and can be seen “only as an attempt to create impediments in the formation of a popular government in the state”. “The governor must follow the Constitution and democratic precedents set by Presidents and other governors instead of discovering new theories.” 

“The governor has not given an explanation as to why he believed that a TVK ministry, if formed, will not be stable. Plenty of court orders, including the one in the SR Bommai case, have insisted that a chief minister has to demonstrate his parliamentary strength in the house, and not before the governor. It is unfair on the part of the governor to play games with the popular mandate, the constitutional scheme and democratic norms. He must invite Mr Vijay to form the government without delay.”

Criticism on TV

Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami said the governor is “throwing common sense into the dust bin”.

“I do not understand why the governor of Tamil Nadu is playing games and yes he is by not giving Vijay a chance to form the government despite his being overwhelmingly the single largest party in Tamil Nadu. The governor of Tamil Nadu is encouraging horse trading by not telling Vijay to form a government and insisting that he must first come with 118 MLAs in support so that he can prove a majority in the 234 seat assembly. The governor of Tamil is throwing common sense into the dust bin.”

On CNN-News18, Rahul Shivshankar said the constitutional convention “is clear”. “The single largest formation with demonstrative support must be given the first opportunity to prove its majority on the floor of the house. Not in the private chambers of Raj Bhavan.”

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