Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) leader Kamal Haasan has said the mandate in Tamil Nadu must be respected after a fractured verdict in the Assembly elections, and argued that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, as leader of the single largest party, should be invited to form the government. In a statement, Haasan said the people had not given any one party the authority to form the government on its own and described the outcome as unprecedented in the state’s history.
His remarks came as Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar turned down Vijay’s proposal to form the government for the second day in a row. According to sources, Vijay met the Governor again at Raj Bhavan to stake claim, but was asked to return only after securing the support of 118 MLAs. Sources said the Governor told him to come back with written support before any swearing-in could take place.
In his statement, Haasan wrote, “In the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the people have not granted any single party the authority to form a government independently. This outcome is unprecedented in the history of Tamil Nadu.” Referring to DMK chief MK Stalin, he said, “My brother, Mr. @mkstalin, has announced, ‘We respect the people’s verdict; we will function as a responsible opposition.’ I respect his political maturity.”
Haasan then said, “Those currently in constitutional positions must now fulfil the same duty. This is not a demand, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation.” He added, “The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr. @TVKVijayHQ, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state; it is damage to democracy.”
He also referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the SR Bommai case and said, “Majority must be proven in the Legislative Assembly, not in Raj Bhavan.” Haasan added, “What I am speaking is not party politics. This is the policy voice of an Indian citizen. The verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu must be respected.”
Sources said Vijay had earlier met the Governor with the backing of 112 MLAs and sought time to gather more support. Although TVK has the support of the Congress’s five MLAs, the Governor is learnt to have insisted on proof of support from 118 legislators before proceeding. Sources also said the Governor assured Vijay that no other party would be invited to form the government and that TVK could return once it had the required signatures.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan has also urged the Governor to invite Vijay to form the government and allow him to prove his majority on the floor of the House. The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India similarly said it was inappropriate to ask Vijay to prove his majority before the swearing-in ceremony. Under Article 164(1) of the Constitution, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister, and in a hung Assembly has the discretion to decide whom to call. Haasan’s statement adds to the calls for Vijay, as the leader of the single largest party, to be given the opportunity to prove his majority in the Assembly.
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