Chennai, May 7 (IANS) Escalating the political confrontation over government formation in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee on Thursday announced statewide protests on May 8 against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for not inviting Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief C. Joseph Vijay to form the next government despite his party emerging as the single-largest formation in the Assembly elections.

In a strongly worded statement, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Governor of attempting to deny Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam its “rightful democratic opportunity” to form the government through what he described as “backroom political manoeuvring”.

The Congress leader alleged that the Governor was acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government and not in accordance with democratic conventions or constitutional morality.

He said the developments unfolding in Tamil Nadu amounted to an attempt to destabilise the popular mandate delivered by the people in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party and its puppet Governor are indulging in unconstitutional actions to prevent Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government despite the people clearly rejecting the traditional political order in the State,” Selvaperunthagai said in the statement.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief announced that protests would be held at all district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on Friday morning. Senior Congress leaders, district presidents, office-bearers, legislators, and cadres have been directed to participate in large numbers.

The agitation comes amid continuing uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu after the Assembly elections threw up a fractured verdict.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, creating a major political upheaval in the State.

Congress, which has already extended support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has argued that the Governor should invite Vijay to form the government and prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly, in keeping with established parliamentary conventions.

However, Raj Bhavan sources indicated that the Governor has sought proof of adequate numerical support before taking a final decision on inviting any party or alliance to form the government.

The issue has triggered intense political activity in Chennai, with parties engaged in negotiations and consultations to explore possible combinations for government formation.

–IANS

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