Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday called for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader C. Joseph Vijay to be given an opportunity to prove his majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar rejected Vijay's claim to form the government. Abdullah said there was no constitutional justification for blocking the attempt, citing established Supreme Court judgments on post-poll government formation.

The TVK, which emerged as the single largest party but fell short of the 118-seat majority mark in the 234-member Assembly, has secured support from the five-member Congress legislature party. Despite this, the Governor declined invitation, asserting the party lacked the requisite numbers to form a stable government.

Abdullah referenced the 1996 precedent when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was invited to form a government despite lacking confirmed support, stating that floor tests—not gubernatorial discretion—should determine majority. He emphasized that if Vijay cannot prove majority, he would resign, but must first be allowed to attempt it.

The Tamil Nadu Governor's decision has intensified political debate over the role of constitutional functionaries in government formation. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday to consider petitions related to the impasse.