Second SC Plea Challenges TN Governor's Refusal to Invite Vijay to Form Govt

A writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court on May 9, 2026, challenging Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar's refusal to invite TVK president C. Joseph Vijay to form the government after the Assembly elections. The plea, submitted by retired IPS officer M. Ramasubramani through advocate G. Siva Bala Murugan, argues that the Governor's May 7 press release dismissing Vijay's claim was unconstitutional and undermined parliamentary democracy.

The petition asserts that in a hung Assembly, the single largest party must be given the first opportunity to prove majority on the floor of the House, not through private assurances or letters of support. It states the Governor's demand for physical proof of majority bypasses established constitutional conventions and effectively preempts the legislative process.

The petitioner emphasized that majority support can only be determined through a floor test, not subjective assessments or consultations at Raj Bhavan. The plea seeks to declare the Governor's press release as arbitrary and contrary to Article 164 of the Constitution.

This is the second such petition in two days, following one filed by TVK member Ezhilarasi P. Both challenge the Governor's stance that Vijay must first demonstrate majority support before being invited. The Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing on the matters.