Governor trying to buy time to help BJP manipulate govt formation: 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. The former Union minister alleged that Arlekar is trying to ''buy time'' so that the BJP can manipulate government formation in Tamil Nadu. 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. ''I was hoping that by now the governor would have invited the TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. That is the norm, the governor, Mr Arlekar, would be knowing the norm. But of course, when governors become agents of the BJP, they do the bidding of the BJP,'' Sibal said at a press conference here. ''I am reminded of England off spinner Jim Laker who took 19 wickets in a Test match against Australia in 1956, the highest ever. Arlekar is trying to bowl a spin ball for the government, he is 'their Laker' not Jim Laker,'' Sibal said, taking a swipe at the governor. The governor is trying to ensure that somehow the AIADMK and the DMK get together and the TVK is not able to form government, he alleged. ''What I hear from media reports is that the DMK has said it will not join hands with any other party to form government,'' the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. The governor must follow the dictum of the Supreme Court and the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission, Sibal asserted. The commission had said that if there is a pre-poll alliance with a majority then the leader of that alliance be called to form the government. If there is no pre-poll alliance, then the leader of the largest party is called to form the government with the support of others and if there is post-poll alliance that has majority then its leader is called to form the government, he pointed out. ''In Tamil Nadu, no single party has a majority. Normally, the single largest party should be asked to form the government. The test of the majority is not domain of the governor. The governor should ask the leader of TVK (Vijay) and give time to show his majority on floor of the House,'' Sibal said. ''I don't see why this governor is not playing ball. The simple reason is that he wants to buy time so that the BJP can manipulate... It is unfortunate that this is happening,'' he said. ''If this is the way governors are going to behave then we can say goodbye to democracy,'' the senior advocate added. In a post on X earlier, 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,'' he 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. On Thursday, Vijay went to the Lok Bhavan 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. 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.