Following the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the Governor, Rajendra Arlekar, has faced criticism for not swearing in C. Joseph Vijay, the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), as Chief Minister. This situation arises from the hung Assembly, where no party has a clear majority. The Governor's role, as outlined in Article 164 of the Constitution, involves appointing the Chief Minister, but lacks a defined procedure in such cases. The Sarkaria Commission's recommendations suggest that the Governor should first invite the pre-poll alliance or the largest party that can demonstrate majority support. However, with no pre-poll alliance holding a majority in Tamil Nadu, the focus shifts to the single largest party. Critics argue that the Governor's demand for physical letters of support from MLAs has contributed to the deadlock. The Supreme Court has historically upheld the floor test as a reliable method to determine majority support, emphasizing that the fate of the electorate's mandate should not solely rest on the Governor's discretion. Instances from Goa and Karnataka illustrate the importance of floor tests in maintaining constitutional order. The ongoing situation underscores the delicate balance of power between the Governor and the Assembly in ensuring a stable government.