Kollywood stars might have their ideological and political differences but it seems like they’re rallying behind Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. Even as TN governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said on Thursday that the party does not have the required majority support to form the government, stars like Khushbu Sundar and Kamal Haasan have spoken out in the actor-politician’s support. (Also Read: Prakash Raj calls TN governor’s behaviour ‘unacceptable’; advocates for Vijay and TVK’s rights amid hung assembly)
Khushbu Sundar, Kamal Haasan support Vijay
Khushbu’s husband Sundar C contested in Madurai with Puthiya Needhi Katchi, as part of the AIADMK-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance), and she is a BJP member, she spoke out in Vijay’s support. She wrote in support of her ‘thambi’ on X (formerly Twitter): “As a citizen of Tamilnadu State, when people have chosen their CM, he should lead.” Ahead of the elections in April, Sundar had refused to speak out against Vijay, saying, “My wife (Khushbu) considers him her thambi (younger brother), and he calls her his akka (elder sister).”
In a long note written in Tamil on X, Kamal wrote: “In the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the people have not granted any single party the authority to form a government independently. This outcome is unprecedented in the history of Tamil Nadu.” However, he pointed out that DMK chief and former CM MK Stalin had stated that they must respect people’s verdict, adding, “Those currently in constitutional positions must now fulfill the same duty. This is not a demand, but a reminder of their constitutional obligation.”
He also added, “The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr. @TVKVijayHQ, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state; it is damaging to democracy. In the S.R. Bommai case, the Supreme Court has clearly stated, “Majority must be proven in the Legislative Assembly, not in Raj Bhavan.” What I am speaking about is not party politics. This is the policy voice of an Indian citizen. The verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu must be respected.”
Vishal cites examples of other states
Vishal also spoke up in Vijay and TVK’s support as he cited examples of other states. He wrote that in Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya and Karnataka, the government was allowed to be formed and asked to prove majority in a ‘floor test’ at the assembly. “Why is the governor of Tamil Nadu hesitating to give #thalapathyvijay the chance to form the government in the same manner. What is the respect for the people s mandate??????” he questioned.
The actor also added, “We have 233 mla s to be sworn in, and we need a government and not a governor’s rule after such a big mandate by #tvk with almost majority seats to form the government. These fundamental rights are known not just to politicians but to the most powerful force. The people of Tamil Nadu. Dear vijay. You should/will form the government. I, as a voter, am manifesting it.”
Vijay met the TN governor on Thursday but was told a majority has not been established by TVK to form the government. TVK has staked a claim to form the government with the support of Congress MLAs, taking their number to 112, with Vijay set to vacate one of his two seats. However, the alliance remains short of the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly.