Bengaluru, May 7 (IANS). Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar on Thursday criticized Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s alleged decision to deny actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam a chance to form the government and prove its majority in the Assembly. He called this step undemocratic.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the Governor has no power to stop any party from staking claim to form the government if it has the majority.
He said that the Tamil Nadu Governor has no right to stop Vijay from forming the government and proving his majority. The Governor’s conduct is not appropriate.
Drawing comparisons with earlier political developments in Karnataka and at the national level, Shivakumar said governors and presidents had earlier also allowed the largest parties to form governments and win trust votes in the Assembly or Parliament.
He said that in Karnataka also, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was allowed to form the government. Former Presidents KR Narayanan and APJ Abdul Kalam had also adopted the same method. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee was allowed to form the government and prove majority in the House.
He said that Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam should also be given a similar opportunity to prove its majority.
Shivkumar further said that this is democracy. A vote can decide majority or minority. If they fail to prove majority, the next option can be considered.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar also stressed the need to respect the mandate and sentiments of the people of the state.
He said that the sentiments of the people of the state should be respected.
–IANS
ms/
