Chennai: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders of Left parties on Thursday strongly criticized Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar for not inviting TVK leader Vijay to form the government, alleging that the BJP-led Union government was attempting to further complicate Tamil Nadu politics and Vijay's position.
"It is unacceptable," they said. Addressing the media, Thirumavalavan stated that as per constitutional provisions, the Governor should immediately invite Vijay to form the government. Failure to do so, he said, would indicate that the Governor is deliberately trying to "further complicate and muddy the prevailing political situation in the state."
Reiterating his suspicion over Vijay's political positioning, the VCK leader said he still had doubts about the developments. "What is unfolding now is reinforcing my view that Vijay has been handled by the BJP from the beginning and only later started a political party," he said. He also questioned why the Union government extended security cover to Vijay without him seeking it and then suddenly withdrew it.
On a communication reportedly sent by Vijay seeking VCK's support for forming a TVK-led government and joining a coalition, Thirumavalavan said consultations with Left parties would be needed before taking a decision. "We have received a communication, expressing their wish to form the government 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," he said, hinting at concerns over perceived political influence.
State CPI(M) secretary P. Shanmugam and CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian also criticized the Governor for not inviting Vijay to take oath as Chief Minister, terming it anti-constitutional. They pointed out that TVK has emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls and said the Governor must allow it adequate time to prove its majority on the floor of the House in line with constitutional provisions. Veerapandian reiterated this in a statement, with Shanmugam echoing the same view.
