VCK, Left unite in defence of Vijay: ‘Let him form govt’

Chennai: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders of the Left parties flayed Tamil Nadu governor R V Arlekar for not inviting TVK president Vijay to form the govt, calling it a ploy by the BJP-led Union govt to ‘complicate Tamil Nadu politics and Vijay's position'.

Other DMK allies, Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam and MDMK also slammed the governor.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Thirumavalavan said that as per the provisions of the Constitution, the governor should immediately invite Vijay to form the govt. "If he fails to do so, it would mean the governor is deliberately trying to complicate and muddy the prevailing political situation in the state,'' he said.

Thirumavalavan, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPM state secretary P Shanmugam called on DMK president M K Stalin at his residence on Thursday. "We discussed the outcome of the elections. We also spoke in detail about the prevailing political scenario," said Thirumavalavan, noting that discussions continued regarding TVK leader Vijay's invitation to VCK and other parties.

He reiterated that the party's frontline leaders would meet and take a decision on TVK's proposal. "We have received communication expressing their wish to form the govt along with VCK. He (Vijay) has also spoken to me. We are considering that. But we have to see many other factors before arriving at a decision. We cannot rush as the party has certain procedures," he said.

"TVK has emerged as the single largest party in the poll. So, the governor must give adequate time to TVK to prove its majority on the floor of the House," said Veerapandian. Shanmugam echoed the view.

MDMK leader Durai Vaiko also stated that delaying or attempting to thwart TVK leader Vijay from assuming office was unconstitutional and went against the people's mandate.