Chennai, May 7:
The deadlock over government formation in Tamil Nadu continued on Friday, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar insisting on formal letters of support establishing a clear majority before proceeding with the swearing-in process.
Sources said the Governor has sought documentary proof of numbers from Chief Minister-designate C. Joseph Vijay, even as the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) remains the single largest party following the April 23 Assembly elections.
Vijay had met the Governor twice in the past two days at Lok Bhavan, including a meeting on Thursday where he formally staked claim to form the government.
During his latest interaction, which lasted around 40 minutes, he is understood to have briefed the Governor on efforts to secure the required majority and sought additional time to consolidate support.
Despite these engagements, no formal invitation to form the government has been extended so far. Sources indicated that while the Governor was reportedly satisfied with Vijay’s presentation and assurances, he has maintained that proof of majority support must be submitted before moving ahead with the swearing-in ceremony.
With the numbers still not publicly established, the swearing-in is unlikely to take place in the next few days, prolonging political uncertainty in the State.
Meanwhile, Vijay convened a closed-door meeting with his MLAs at the party’s Panaiyur office to assess the evolving situation. Discussions reportedly focused on securing additional support as well as evaluating possible legal options in the event of further delays.
The developments come amid heightened political activity, including speculation over potential post-poll alliances among rival parties. However, no concrete announcements have been made so far.
The standoff has also triggered reactions from several political leaders, who have argued that as the single largest party, TVK should be given an opportunity to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly rather than being required to demonstrate numbers beforehand.
As the impasse continues, all eyes remain on the Governor’s next move, which will be crucial in determining the course of government formation in Tamil Nadu.