VCK, Left unite to defend Vijay: ‘Let him form government’

CHENNAI: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and Left party leaders condemned Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar for not inviting TVK chairman Vijay Forming the government, it said it was a ploy by the BJP-led coalition government to “complicate Tamil Nadu politics and Vijay’s stance”.Other DMK allies, including Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam and MDMK, also slammed the governor.Thirumavalavan told the media on Thursday that as per the Constitution, the governor should immediately invite Vijay to form the government. “If he doesn’t do that, it means the governor is deliberately trying to complicate and confuse the current political situation in the state,” he said.Thirumavalavan, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPM state secretary P Shanmugam called on DMK president MK Stalin at his residence on Thursday. “We discussed the election results. We also discussed the current political situation in detail,” Thirumavalavan said, noting that discussions on TVK leader Vijay’s invitation to VCK and other political parties were still going on.He reiterated that the party’s front leaders will meet and take a decision on TVK’s proposal. “We have received information that they want to form the government with VCK. He (Vijay) has also spoken to me. We are considering it. But before taking a decision, we have to consider many other factors. We cannot be too hasty as the party has certain procedures,” he said.“TVK has emerged as the largest party in the polls. Therefore, the governor must give enough time to TVK to prove its majority in the House,” Veerapandian said. Shanmugam agrees.MDMK leader Durai Vaiko also said delaying or trying to prevent TVK leader Vijay from taking office was unconstitutional and against the people’s mandate.