Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed strong disapproval of Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar's decision to delay the swearing-in of C. Joseph Vijay, the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He labeled the Governor's actions as 'unfair' and contrary to democratic values, drawing a parallel to the 2018 political developments in Karnataka, where the then-Governor invited BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa to form the government after the BJP emerged as the largest party. Shivakumar alleged that the Governor's decision reflects a bias towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and criticized the inconsistency in how Governors handle political situations across states. He urged that the TVK chief should be allowed to demonstrate his majority in the Assembly, noting that the Congress party, which secured five seats, has pledged support to the TVK, which has won 108 seats but requires nine more for a majority. Shivakumar insisted that the Governor must respect the electoral mandate of the Tamil Nadu people.