Congress party leaders staged a protest in Chennai to demand that Governor P. S. Arlekar invite TVK Vijay to form the state government.
The demonstration follows a dispute over democratic norms in Tamil Nadu. The Congress party argues that the leader of the single-largest party should be given the first opportunity to form a government to ensure constitutional stability.
Tamil Nadu Congress President K. Selvaperunthagai said the party is protesting against the Governor to protect the Constitution of India [1]. The protest comes after the declaration of election results in May 2024 [2].
According to reports, TVK Vijay's party won 108 seats out of 234 in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election [3]. While this makes his party the single-largest entity, it falls short of the 118 seats required for a majority [4].
Congress leaders allege that the Governor is blocking the democratic process by not inviting Vijay to form the administration. Congress leader Chodankar said the Governor's actions are an attack on democracy [5].
Some party officials suggest the delay is a strategic move by the Bharatiya Janata Party. An unnamed Congress spokesperson said the BJP is using the Governor to buy time while the opposing side attempts to form a government [6].
The protest in Chennai serves as a public demand for the Governor to adhere to what the party describes as established constitutional protocols, specifically the invitation of the largest single party when no clear majority exists.
“"We have to protect the Constitution of India... We are protesting against the Governor."”
This conflict highlights a recurring tension in Indian state politics regarding the discretionary powers of the Governor. When no single party reaches the majority mark of 118 seats [4], the Governor's decision on whom to invite first can determine the state's leadership. The Congress party's framing of this as a constitutional crisis suggests a broader strategy to paint the current administration as undermining democratic mandates to favor the BJP.
