‘Disrespecting people’s mandate’: Kamal Haasan as TVK scrambles to form Tamil Nadu government

Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) Chairman and Member of Parliament Kamal Hassan on Thursday said not inviting TVK to form the Tamil Nadu government despite emerging as the largest single party in the state would amount to “disrespect of the mandate of the people”.He urged the constitutional authorities to allow the party to prove its majority in the House of Representatives.“Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by Mr. @TVKVijayHQ won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would be disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take oath. This is an insult to the country; a disservice to democracy,” Haasan posted on X.Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision in SR Bommai’s case, he said the court clearly held that “majority has to be proven in the House and not in the Raj Bhavan.”Haasan also referred to outgoing chief minister Stalin’s statement of accepting the verdict and acting as a “responsible opposition”, saying he respects Stalin’s “political maturity”.“My brother Mr @mkstalin declared ‘we respect the people’s verdict; we will function as a responsible opposition’. I respect his political maturity,” he said.Meanwhile, sources said Vijay is likely to be sworn in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu once he secures majority support in the Assembly, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar expressing his keenness to ensure “stability” in the government, ANI reported.Sources added that once Vijay proves the required numbers, he can be sworn in as the chief minister.The development comes amid ongoing political activity in the state, with Vijay meeting the governor for the second time earlier in the day and claiming to form the government with the support of 112 MLAs, including five from the Congress.Supporters of TVK also held protests outside Lok Bhavan, demanding that Vijay be sworn in as chief minister immediately.Vijay is expected to resign from one of the two parliamentary seats he is running for, reducing the effective number of seats in the House of 234 to 233 and reducing the majority to 117. With the support of 112 provincial councilors, TVK is still five seats short of a majority.Earlier, Congress leader Rajesh Kumar said the party’s support for TVK was aimed at respecting the people’s mandate and working for the welfare of the country.