Alternate government need of the hour: Stalin to Tamil Nadu Governor

DMK working president and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly MK Stalin met Rao and submitted a representation.

DMK working president MK Stalin. (File | PTI)

CHENNAI: In the wake of the political uncertainty prevailing in the State following the unexpected revolt of Chief Minister O Panneerselvam against the party's powerhouse VK Sasikala, the leader of opposition MK Stalin stressed to the Governor that "an alternate government" was the need of the hour.

Stalin called on the Governor (in-charge) Ch Vidyasagar Rao in the evening on Friday and submitted a memorandum asking him to "ensure a democratically and constitutionally valid government (be put) in place".

"An alternate government according to the norms of the Constitution is, therefore, the need of the hour as the problems of the people remain either unresolved or inadequately addressed," the memorandum stated.

Saying that the State is in a "political and constitutional stalemate" and "constitutional vacuum", Stalin, who is also the working president of DMK stressed that horse trading in any form has to prevented and all efforts to protect the sanctity of the Anti-defection law has to be undertaken.

The DMK requested that Governor ensures that the state has a democratically and constitutionally valid government in place without further loss of time through a free and fair floor test in total conformity with the constitutional provisions and also in accordance with the parameters laid by the Supreme Court in the famous "SR Bommao Case".

Delay may lead to horse trading: Thirumavalavan

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said an undue delay in ending the current stalemate might lead to horse trading.

"The responsibility of the Governor is to follow the guidelines prescribed in the Constitution as far as swearing in a Chief Minister or a Minister (is concerned). Delaying might give room to unwanted horse trading," he said in a statement here.