Governors agents of BJP, maul Constitution to serve party's interests: Sibal on TN political crisis

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for not inviting Vijay-led TVK to form the government, alleging that governors are agents of the BJP who maul the Constitution to serve that partys interests.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for not inviting Vijay-led TVK to form the government, alleging that governors are ''agents'' of the BJP who ''maul'' the Constitution to serve that party's interests. Sibal's remarks come amid Vijay's efforts to cobble up support to form his maiden government after his TVK emerged as the single largest party in the the April 23 assembly polls. Vijay went to the Lok Bhavan on Thursday for a second time in 24 hours to meet Arlekar in connection with his request to be invited to form the government with the Congress' support, even as the BJP asserted that the governor will go by the rule book on the matter. Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan said Governor Arlekar explained to TVK chief Vijay that his party does not have requisite support to form the government. In a post on X, Sibal said, ''Tamil Nadu... Governors are agents of BJP. They maul the Constitution to serve BJP's interests.'' ''Call Vijay (leader of single largest party). Swear him in as CM,'' the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. ''Let him prove his majority on the floor of the House. No post poll alliance in majority. Sarkaria Commission. Settled law. But who listens!'' Sibal said. The TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly in the April 23 polls and emerged as the single largest party. Though the Congress, which has five MLAs, has extended support to the TVK, the actor-politician-led party is still short of as many seats to touch the magic number of 118, the majority mark.