Insult of Tamil Nadu: Kamal Haasan strongly defends Vijay’s right to form government
Kamal Haasan said that Vijay, as the leader of the single largest party, should be invited to form the government in Tamil Nadu. He said the majority in the Assembly should be tested, warning that any delay was a disrespect for the people’s mandate.
Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) leader Kamal Haasan has said that the mandate in Tamil Nadu should be respected after the fractured verdict in the assembly elections, and argued that Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, as the leader of the single largest party, should be invited to form the government. In a statement, Haasan said the people had not given any single party the right to form the government on its own and described the result as unprecedented in the history of the state.
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His comments came as Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar rejected Vijay’s proposal to form government for the second consecutive day. According to sources, Vijay met the Governor again at Raj Bhavan to stake his claim, but was asked to return only after getting the support of 118 MLAs. Sources said the Governor asked him to come back with written support before any swearing-in.
Haasan wrote in his statement, “In the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the public has not given any single party the right to form the government independently. This result is unprecedented in the history of Tamil Nadu.” Referring to DMK chief MK Stalin, he said, “My brother Shri @MKStalin has announced, ‘We respect the people’s decision; we will act as a responsible opposition.’ I respect his political maturity.”
Haasan then said, “Those currently holding constitutional positions should now fulfill the same duty. This is not a demand, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation.” He said, “Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by Shri @TVKVijayHQ has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would be disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oath. This is an insult to the state; this is a loss to democracy.”
He also referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in the SR Bommai case and said, ‘Majority should be proved in the Assembly, not in Raj Bhavan.’ Haasan said, “What I am saying is not party politics. This is the policy voice of an Indian citizen. The decision of the people of Tamil Nadu should be respected.”
Sources said Vijay had earlier met the Governor with the support of 112 MLAs and sought time to garner more support. Although TVK has the support of five Congress MLAs, the Governor is understood to have insisted on proof of support of 118 MLAs before going ahead. Sources also said the Governor assured Vijay that no other party would be invited to form the government and that TVK could come back once the necessary signatures were in place.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan has also urged the Governor to invite Vijay to form the government and allow him to prove majority in the House. The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India similarly said that 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 a hung assembly has the discretion to decide whom to convene. Haasan’s statement reinforces the demand that Vijay, as the leader of the largest party, be given a chance to prove his majority in the Assembly.