Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar acted within rights, says political analyst R Kannan

Political analyst R Kannan has defended Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s role in the government formation process in Tamil Nadu, saying the Governor is “well within his constitutional right” to seek proof of majority before inviting TVK leader Vijay to form the government.

Also read: Vijay security withdrawn amid Tamil Nadu government formation row

As Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) were short of the majority mark despite emerging as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections, opposition parties including CPI and CPM have accused the Governor of delaying the process and interfering with the people’s mandate. The Federal spoke to author and political analyst R Kannan about the constitutional questions, the Governor’s actions, and the evolving political situation in Tamil Nadu.

TVK has 108 seats and parties like CPI and CPM are discussing support. They allege the Governor is overruling the constitutional mandate. Is the Governor overreaching?

I don’t think so.

I think the Governor is within his rights to satisfy himself that he would be inviting someone who can provide a stable government and prove a majority on the floor of the House. That is what Governor Rajendra Arlekar is trying to ensure.

He knows the leader of the single largest party enjoys massive public support. But the mandate is still short of the finishing line. So he has asked for letters of support for the remaining legislators Vijay needs to form the government.

He is well within his constitutional right to seek such clarification and satisfy himself before taking a decision.

Also read: TN govt formation: 'Governor should invite Vijay, ask him to prove majority on floor of House'

Any criticism of the Governor would not have arisen if the parties now criticising him had already submitted their letters of support. They created this situation themselves, and they alone should be blamed for it.

Dravidian parties have long accused Governors of interfering in Tamil Nadu politics. Does this situation affect the federal structure?

No, I think these are two different issues.

Opposing the Governor as an institution mainly comes from the DMK, not even from the AIADMK or most opposition parties elsewhere in India.

Some Left parties have had disagreements with Governors at different times, but they have never demanded abolition of the Governor’s post the way the DMK once did. Even the DMK has now accepted that the Governor is a necessary constitutional position.

As for Vijay meeting the Governor twice, I believe those meetings happened at Vijay’s request. The Governor has been very clear — he simply wants proof that 118 MLAs support Vijay.

It has already been four days since everybody knew Vijay would emerge as the next major political force in Tamil Nadu. The parties that are still discussing support today should have acted much earlier.

Also read: Hung Assembly in Tamil Nadu: what the Governor can and cannot do

These meetings should have happened immediately after the election results were announced. If they are truly serious about respecting the public mandate, they should have organised themselves much faster.

Do you reject allegations that the Governor is acting under BJP influence?

I think all this is pure speculation arising from anti-BJP political positions.

Politicians can say whatever they want, but the Governor is an independent constitutional authority.

There are historical precedents for what is happening now. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee returned to power in 1998 after his earlier 13-day government collapsed, the President also sought letters of support before inviting him to form the government.

There are also examples where Governors invited the single largest party without sufficient proof and later faced legal scrutiny. In some cases, it worked; in others, it did not.

I think the Governor’s concern is to prevent horse trading and ensure a stable government. That concern is understandable.

Also read: ‘Letter via WhatsApp?’ : VCK leader slams Vijay over functioning style

At the same time, the current political uncertainty could itself create conditions for horse trading. There are reports of bitter political rivals potentially coming together purely for numbers. That may technically fit constitutional rules, but it would violate the spirit of the Constitution.

The Governor himself said during a television discussion yesterday that his only concern is verifying the numbers. He said it does not matter how those numbers are brought together, as long as there is no horse trading.

Despite huge youth and women support for Vijay, there are no visible public protests or aggressive mobilisation by TVK supporters. Does that send a signal?

No, I think TVK is acting in an extremely mature and responsible manner.

Until the final political decisions are made, the party should avoid making aggressive public statements. There is still room for hope.

The parties meeting today may influence others to follow. So there is still political space available.

If I were in TVK’s position, I also would not rush to react publicly before the situation becomes fully clear, possibly by Monday.

It is not only the Governor who can think of different political options in a hung Assembly. The single largest party can also consider different options.