TN Governor’s discretion amounts to ‘atypical’ abuse

In both states, enduring success has belonged to those who treated politics as a ‘systematic commitment rather than a purely casual engagement.’ Whether it is the disciplined ascent of Vijay or the decades of struggle by Mamata Banerjee, persistence has outweighed momentary popularity. Both regions demonstrate shifts across ideological spectrums, from anti-religious Dravidianism to inclusive secularism in TN, and from Left-wing dominance to Right leaning politics in WB

Acrossthe diverse political landscape of India, few stories illustrate the interplay of grit, ideology, and ambition as vividly as the recent electoral transformations in Tamil Nadu (TN) and West Bengal (WB). Both states reveal a striking convergence with a difference in political method: sustained effort over decades, alliances of necessity, ideological shifts from ‘Left’ to ‘Right’, alleged electoral manipulation, and the enduring tension between democratic aspiration and undemocratic practice. At the heart of these transformations lies one defining principle: ‘Grit over Pastime.’

For some, politics is fleeting engagement, while for others it is incessant struggle defined by perseverance, reinvention, and calculated disruption. The Tamil Nadu political theatre has long been intertwined with the ‘silver screen’, categorised by either Grit or Pastime. Historically, many actors in TN entered the political arena by leveraging their popularity, found roles within established systems, rarely altered the political equilibrium, and navigated through alliances rather than independently reshaping the structures of power.

Notable exceptions were M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa, who demonstrated that cinematic charisma, only when combined with organizational discipline and relentless effort, dismantled entrenched political orders. Their rise resulted from calculated engagement and a refusal to remain subordinate within existing frameworks.

Continuing this legacy, the emergence of Thalapathy Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), represents typical evolution of this tradition.

Vijay’s approach transcends celebrity politics. His ascent reflects a deliberate shift from symbolic presence to structural challenge, disrupting the long-standing duopoly of DMK and AIADMK that defined TN for over five decades. This disruption is both electoral and ideological. The political discourse of TN has long been shaped by Dravidian Ideology, often marked by criticism of ‘Sanatana Dharma’ and characterized by ‘Confrontational Atheism.’ Such rhetoric from the top DMK leadership contributed significantly to voter apathy.

Vijay signalled a significant recalibration. His articulation of an inclusive and temperate secularism, rooted in social justice yet respectful of spiritual plurality, marks a departure from rigid ideological binaries. By engaging with temples, churches, and dargahs alike, he has reframed secularism not as opposition to faith but as the coexistence of beliefs. This resonated well with younger voters under forty, disillusioned with entrenched narratives. In addition, contesting on its own across constituencies, TVK had broken the traditional ‘either or paradigm’ of TN politics.

If the story of TN has been one of cinematic disruption, that of WB has been a chronicle of ideological evolution, marked by intense struggle, systemic control, and eventual transformation.

Before and after independence, the State became fertile ground for Left politics. Mass movements were often led by Communist cadre, gradually consolidating their influence. This culminated in the rise of the Left Front led by Communist Party of India (Marxist), which governed Bengal for a record 34 years, establishing one of the longest democratically elected communist regimes in the world. This dominance was shaped as much by grassroots mobilization as by the interventions of the Centre.

The frequent dismissal of non-Congress governments, chiefly by Indira Gandhi, set troubling precedents. Removal of the first elected Communist government in the world through ballot, headed by EMS Namboodiripad in Kerala, signalled readiness to override democratic mandates. In WB, similar patterns followed. The United Front governments confronted repeated dismissals, often replaced by short-lived administrations or President’s Rule.

These interventions exposed the fragile nature of federalism and normalized the use of constitutional mechanisms for political ends. In the 1972 Bengal elections allegations of booth capturing, bogus voting, and counting irregularities cast a long shadow over democratic processes. Such practices, whether fully substantiated or not, contributed to a culture of mistrust still seems to repeat in subsequent electoral discourse, including the present.

When political conditions shifted, the Left Front rose decisively to power in 1977, ushering in an era of stability under Jyoti Basu. His tenure, followed by that of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, provided continuity and governance that many viewed as a golden period. However, over time, the ideological rigidity and administrative inertia of the Left created space for disruption. That came in the form of Mamata Banerjee, whose rise was systematic, and built on decades of relentless struggle.

Much like the grit seen in the transformative leaders of TN, Mamata’s journey involved shifting alliances, agitations, and strategic positioning. Whether aligning with the Congress or even BJP at different times, her objective remained constant: dismantling the ‘Left-wing Red Fortress.’ Her eventual success in 2011 marked a critical turning point. The fall of the Left Front demonstrated that even the most entrenched ideological regimes are vulnerable to persistent challenge.

The BJP's rise as a formidable force marks a significant ideological evolution, moving from Left-wing dominance toward a vibrant narrative of national pride and cultural unity. This transition underscores a broader national trend where ideological boundaries are not static but ever dynamic, shaped by electoral strategy and public sentiment. Despite their differences, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal reveal common patterns that define Indian democracy.

In both states, enduring success has belonged to those who treated politics as a ‘systematic commitment rather than a purely casual engagement.’ Whether it is the disciplined ascent of Vijay or the decades of struggle by Mamata Banerjee, persistence has outweighed momentary popularity. Both regions demonstrate shifts across ideological spectrums, from anti-religious Dravidianism to inclusive secularism in TN, and from Left-wing dominance to Right leaning politics in WB. Ideology, while important, often adapts to electoral realities.

Therefore, the underlying principle shall be that politics cannot be sustained as a platform of convenience. Those who endure, who build patiently at the grassroots, and who remain committed through defeat and uncertainty, ultimately shape history. Equally significant is ideological fluidity. Voters now respond to relevance, delivery, and inclusivity. The challenge for political actors is to balance strategic alliances.

Undemocratic acts, particularly ‘Gubernatorial Overreach,’ necessitate constant vigilance. Success requires moving beyond rhetoric to build a structured grassroots presence. As Tamil Nadu and West Bengal illustrate, resilient politics must transcend rigid labels, centering instead on public aspirations and the delicate balance between principle and pragmatism.

TN Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s initial, instant and blatant refusal to invite Vijay, despite his claim as leader of the single largest party, suggests a concerning stall of the democratic mandate. N Sanjiva Reddy inviting Charan Singh; R Venkataraman inviting P V Narasimha Rao and Shankar Dayal Sharma inviting AB Vajpayee to set the standard for constitutional propriety. To uphold these democratic values, Arlekar should follow suit and allow the floor of the House to decide the majority.

In Indian democracy, inviting the leader of the single largest party or pre-poll alliance, by Governors or the President, is a convention generally followed. Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s rigid insistence on physical proof of 118 MLAs at Lok Bhavan, rather than permitting a floor test, creates an ‘Atypical Hurdle’ for a party clearly leading all others. This departure from democratic precedent undermines constitutional propriety and stalls the mandate in an unprecedented, institutionalized manner.

Ultimately, TVK’s Vijay secured formal support from Congress. The Left Parties (CPI and CPIM), in an attempt not to repeat past tactical errors as a face-saving measure, extended support to Vijay. With VCK oscillating, the grand finality appears clear: Vijay is poised to be Tamil Nadu’s next Chief Minister. Meanwhile, in a historic shift, Suvendu Adhikari has been sworn in as West Bengal’s first-ever BJP Chief Minister.