Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has called for President's Rule and fresh elections in Tamil Nadu, saying the fractured verdict has left no party with a clear majority and could produce an unstable government, adding that BJP should fight alone, even if it leads to zero seats, time for a fresh start for the BJP in Tamil Nadu.
In a post on X, (formerly Twitter), Vembu said "the numbers don't seem to add up" after actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single-largest party but fell short of the majority mark. He warned that any administration “cobbled together” through post-poll arrangements was likely to face "various pulls and pressures. Vembu wrote, "The numbers don't seem to add up. Whatever government is cobbled together is likely to be unstable with various pulls and pressures. Tamil Nadu deserves better."
Vembu said President's Rule followed by fresh elections "may be the best course" provided the next contest is held with strict enforcement against alleged cash-for-votes practices. "President's rule with fresh elections may be the best course, this time with a very strict "no cash for votes" enforcement. Then we will see who has the real mandate," Vembu wrote on X.
ALSO READ: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Pushes For President's Rule, Fresh Polls As Vijay Lacks Majority To Form Govt
However, he does think that Vija will come back with a super majority and if the DMK-AIADMK want to stop that, let them fight together. "I think Vijay will come back with a super majority and if the DMK-AIADMK want to stop that, let them fight together. The BJP should fight alone, even if it leads to zero seats, time for a fresh start for the BJP in TN," he concluded.
Where Numbers Stand In Tamil Nadu
The comments come amid uncertainty over government formation in the 234-member Assembly, where TVK has reportedly won 108 seats, short of the 118 required for a majority. Congress support would still leave Vijay's party dependent on additional backing from smaller parties.
Vembu also said he expected TVK to return with a "super majority” if elections were held again. He suggested the DMK and AIADMK could contest together if they wanted to stop Vijay, while the BJP should fight alone in Tamil Nadu, "even if it leads to zero seats", calling it time for a fresh start in the state.
TVK chief Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and staked claim to form the government in the state, two days after his party emerged as the single largest party but was short of a simple majority. While the Congress party has publicly announced its support to TVK, it was not immediately known who all have extended support to Vijay's party.
The TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly in the recently held elections. 118 is the majority mark to form the government. The DMK won 59, AIADMK 47, Congress 5, PMK 4, IUML 2, CPI 2, VCK 2, CPI-M 2. BJP, DMDK and AMMK won 1 seat each.
ALSO READ: DMK, AIADMK Mull Tie-Up To Avert Vijay Rule In Tamil Nadu? Backchannel Talks Underway, Says Report
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