Whoever has numbers will be allowed to form TN government: Lok Bhavan sources

As Tamil Nadu navigates a tricky political situation, sources in Lok Bhavan made it clear that whichever party can show the required numbers, i.e. the support of 118 MLAs, would be invited to form the government. However, the sources denied that Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was acting under pressure from the Centre, stating that decisions were being taken strictly in accordance with constitutional norms.

This comes amid Governor Arlekar facing intense criticism over his decision to delay the swearing-in of Vijay as the next Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after his TVK disrupted the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK, emerging as the single-largest party.

VIJAY SENT BACK BY GOVERNOR TWICE

For two consecutive days, the Governor has sent back Vijay and asked him to submit proof of support from at least 118 MLAs - the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. TVK currently has 108 MLAs (actually 107 as Vijay won from two seats). It has the support of the Congress's five MLAs, taking the number to 113.

As per convention, the single largest party is invited by the Governor to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the house.

Lok Bhavan sources, however, underlined that seeking details of support from any party staking a claim to form the government is part of the normal constitutional process. This is what sources said the Governor sought from Vijay when he visited the Lok Bhavan on Thursday.

For Vijay, the equation is simple - show the support of 118 MLAs, and form the government.

Lok Bhavan sources maintained that no party has yet demonstrated the required numbers to form the government.

Lok Bhavan sources also clarified that the landmark SR Bommai vs Union of India judgment relates to Article 356 and does not directly apply to the appointment of a new chief minister.

The 1994 judgment by a nine-member bench restricts the arbitrary dismissal of state governments under Article 356.

There is also a buzz that arch-rivals DMK and AIADMK might do the unthinkable and join hands to keep the TVK-Congress out of power. The TVK has warned that all its 107 MLAs would resign if such a situation arises.

Even in that case, the DMK, with 59 seats, and AIADMK, with 47, together have 106 seats. They fall short of a simple majority by 12. In this case, they will need the support of their allies. IUML, CPI, CPM and VCK from the DMK front have two seats each. From the AIADMK, DMDK has one, while the PMK has four MLAs. This will take them comfortably past the majority mark.