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Tamil Nadu Governor Accepts Stalin's Resignation, Appoints Him Caretaker CM

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's resignation and requested him to continue as caretaker CM. The resignation followed the DMK-led alliance's poor performance in the Assembly elections, securing only 73 seats. Stalin lost his Kolathur constituency to V.S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking a rare defeat for a sitting CM. TVK has emerged as the single largest party, with post-poll negotiations underway for government formation.

Key Points: Stalin Resigns as TN CM, Appointed Caretaker

  • Governor accepts Stalin's resignation
  • DMK-led alliance wins only 73 seats
  • Stalin loses Kolathur constituency to V.S. Babu
  • TVK emerges as single largest party
  • Post-poll negotiations underway for government formation
2 min read

TN Governor accepts Stalin's resignation, asks him to continue as caretaker CM (Ld)

Tamil Nadu Governor accepts M.K. Stalin's resignation after DMK's electoral defeat. Stalin asked to continue as caretaker CM until new government is formed.

"Governor has asked Stalin to remain in charge until a new government is sworn in - Official release from Lok Bhavan"

Chennai, May 5

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his Council of Ministers, and requested him to continue in office as caretaker CM until alternative arrangements are made.

According to an official release issued from Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, the Governor has asked Stalin to remain in charge until a new government is sworn in, in keeping with constitutional convention.

Stalin's resignation came in the wake of a significant electoral setback for the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Sources said the resignation letter was submitted to the Governor shortly after the results made it clear that the alliance had fallen well short of the majority mark.

The DMK-led alliance managed to secure only 73 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, far below the halfway mark of 118. The DMK itself, which contested 164 constituencies, won only around 60 seats, marking a sharp decline from its previous performance and pushing the party into the Opposition.

In a major personal setback, Stalin also lost his long-held Kolathur constituency, which he had represented since 2011. He was defeated by V.S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), making him one of the rare sitting Chief Ministers in Tamil Nadu to lose an Assembly election.

The last such instance dates back to 1996, when former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was defeated.

Babu's victory is seen as politically significant, given his past association with the DMK before switching sides. His win in Kolathur reflects a broader shift in voter sentiment and the changing political landscape in the State.

The election has thrown up a fractured mandate, with actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to emerge as the single largest party, though it remains short of a majority.

With post-poll negotiations underway, attention has now turned to the formation of the next government.

Meanwhile, Stalin is likely to take on the role of Leader of Opposition as the DMK begins internal discussions to analyse its electoral setback and plan its future course.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Stalin resigning is just a formality since he lost. But caretaker CM role is crucial for stability. What worries me is the fractured mandate - no party has clear majority. This could lead to unstable coalitions or even mid-term elections again. Hope TVK learns from other states' mistakes in managing alliances. DMK needs serious introspection after this debacle.
V
Vikram M
Finally, some accountability! Stalin losing Kolathur after 13 years is poetic justice. DMK's freebie culture and nepotism had to be challenged. But I'm cautiously optimistic about TVK - Vijay is a political novice. Let's see if he can handle real governance or just remain an actor on screen. 😅 Tamil Nadu needs development, not drama.
M
Michael C
From an external perspective, this seems like a significant political shift in Tamil Nadu. The defeat of a sitting CM is rare globally. I wonder how coalition politics will play out here - India's federal system often produces such outcomes. The caretaker arrangement ensures continuity, but the real test will be the new government's ability to address economic issues.
R
Ravi K
I'm from Trichy and this election result is a shocker. DMK's vote bank politics finally backfired. But let's be honest - TVK won't have it easy either. Vijay needs to prove he's more than just a movie star. Meanwhile, Stalin should reflect on why his party lost even strongholds. Hope the new government focuses on water disputes, education, and jobs rather than just language politics.
S
Shreya B
As a woman voter, I'm glad to see accountability. But

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