Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday strongly criticised R. V. Arlekar after the Governor declined to immediately invite C Joseph Vijay to form the government in Tamil Nadu.
Reacting to the ongoing political deadlock, Sibal accused Governors appointed in BJP-ruled systems of acting politically instead of following constitutional conventions.
In a sharp post on social media, the senior lawyer alleged that Governors were functioning as “agents” of the BJP and claimed constitutional principles were being undermined for political purposes.
Sibal argued that Vijay, as leader of the single-largest party in the Assembly, should first be invited to take oath as Chief Minister and then asked to prove majority support on the floor of the House.
Referring to the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission, Sibal maintained that post-poll alliances should not automatically get preference when no formation has secured a clear majority on its own.
Speaking to reporters, he said the Governor should act in line with constitutional norms and Supreme Court principles governing government formation in a hung Assembly.
The remarks came shortly after Vijay held his second meeting in less than 24 hours with Governor Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai.
During the meeting, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief reportedly renewed his claim to form the government and argued that constitutional practice supports giving the first opportunity to the single-largest party.
Vijay had earlier approached the Governor to stake claim after the Assembly election results, but his request was reportedly declined because TVK had not yet demonstrated majority support in the 234-member Assembly.
The political uncertainty has intensified after TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the elections but fell short of the majority mark, triggering intense negotiations with other parties and independent MLAs.
The issue has now sparked a wider constitutional debate, with several opposition leaders backing Vijay’s demand for a floor test while questioning the Governor’s approach in handling the government formation process.
