Tamil Nadu Teeters on Brink of Political Crisis as TVK Considers Mass Resignation
Tamil Nadu is facing a deepening political crisis as TVK, led by Vijay, considers a mass resignation of its 107 MLAs, a move that could have significant constitutional and legal implications. The party, which won 108 seats in the recent Assembly elections, has been struggling to form a government due to its inability to secure a majority.
According to Article 190 of the Constitution, an MLA can resign by submitting a written resignation to the Speaker of the Assembly, but the Speaker must verify whether each resignation is voluntary and genuine. This process could take days or even weeks and may face court challenges.
If the resignations are accepted, 107 Assembly seats would become vacant, triggering by-elections within six months under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This could create an extraordinary situation where by-elections would be held across nearly half the state, effectively turning into a second mini-Assembly election.
The Governor could recommend President's Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution if the state is deemed to have broken down, which would require approval from the Union Cabinet and Parliament. This move would likely trigger massive political controversy in Tamil Nadu, a state sensitive to Central intervention.
The court will likely play a crucial role in resolving the crisis, with potential legal challenges to the resignations and the imposition of President's Rule. The Election Commission will also be involved in conducting by-elections, which could be held within six months.