Abhishek Singhvi Alleges 'Central Pressure' Behind Vijay Oath Delay in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, the delay in appointing TVK leader Vijay as Chief Minister is sparking controversy. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleges the Governor is under 'central pressure', disregarding constitutional precedents and Supreme Court rulings.

Thu May 07 2026

Governor's Delay and Constitutional Debate

In Tamil Nadu, controversy has arisen over the Governor's delay in inviting TVK leader Vijay to form the government, despite his party securing a majority of seats. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a senior advocate and Congress MP, strongly criticized the Governor's actions, stating they are driven by 'central pressure'. Singhvi asserted that the Governor is ignoring constitutional provisions, which violates constitutional ethos, culture, and precedents. He cited Supreme Court rulings emphasizing that a governor must invite the leader of the party with majority support, highlighting the abnormality of the current situation.

Supreme Court Precedents and Limits on Gubernatorial Discretion

Singhvi emphasized that the Supreme Court has ruled that a governor's discretion is 'not absolute' and that 'floor test is the ultimate test of majority'. He pointed to the 1996 case of Prime Minister Vajpayee, who resigned after 13 days due to a lack of 111 votes. Singhvi also presented precedents from Goa (2017), Karnataka (2018), and Maharashtra (2019), where the Supreme Court intervened to order immediate floor tests, arguing that the Governor is disregarding these established practices. Singhvi concluded that the current delay indicates either the Governor's ignorance of constitutional law or actions dictated by the central government.

*Source: YouTube: NDTV (2026-05-07)*

Tags: #Tamil Nadu #Vijay #Indian Politics #Abhishek Singhvi #Governor