News Opinion Editorials Lok Bhavan needs to respect lok's mandate The gubernatorial role in government formation is that of a politically neutral facilitator in the implementation of mandate The governor’s actions must be impartial, and they must be seen to be so, too. The verdict cannot be re-shaped or manipulated through post-election manoeuvres in Raj Bhavan. 3 min read May 9, 2026 06:45 AM IST First published on: May 9, 2026 at 06:45 AM IST On May 4, in Tamil Nadu, in a dramatic verdict that overturned pre-poll predictions, the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lost, while Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in its electoral debut, got overwhelming support. It stopped just short of a simple majority, with no rival party or pre-poll coalition coming close. In the aftermath, both democratic convention and judicial precedent dictate that the single-largest party has the strongest claim to form the government.…