High drama unfolded outside the residence of actor-turned-politician Vijay on Thursday as thousands of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) cadres gathered, demanding that he be invited to form the government in Tamil Nadu. The protesters, who later marched to the Raj Bhavan, the governor's official residence, raised slogans urging Governor R.N. Ravi to immediately invite Vijay to take the oath as Chief Minister.
Massive Show of Strength
The demonstration, which began early in the morning, saw TVK supporters from across the state converging at Vijay's residence in Chennai. Carrying party flags and banners, the cadres chanted pro-Vijay slogans and demanded that the governor respect the people's mandate. The party leadership had called for the protest after the governor reportedly delayed the swearing-in ceremony, citing procedural formalities.
Supporters Rally Outside Lok Bhavan
A separate group of TVK workers gathered outside Lok Bhavan, the governor's residence, pressing for immediate government formation. The protesters blocked traffic on the arterial road, leading to heavy police deployment. Security was tightened around both locations, with barricades and additional forces deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Speaking to reporters, a TVK spokesperson said, "The people of Tamil Nadu have given a clear mandate to our leader Vijay. There is no reason for delay. We demand that the governor invite him to form the government without any further delay." The party has also threatened to intensify the agitation if their demand is not met by the evening.
Political Implications
The protest comes amid a political deadlock in the state, with TVK emerging as the single largest party in the recent assembly elections. However, the governor's office has maintained that the process of government formation is underway and that all constitutional norms are being followed. Political analysts view the protest as a pressure tactic by TVK to expedite the process and assert its claim to power.
Meanwhile, security has been heightened across Chennai, with police patrolling key areas. The city remains on alert as the situation continues to unfold.
