Vijay comfortably won the trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly after securing the backing of alliance partners and rebel AIADMK legislators
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday successfully proved his majority in the State Assembly, securing support from 144 MLAs during the trust vote amid dramatic political developments and an open split within the AIADMK.
The floor test, held amid intense political tension, marked the first time in Tamil Nadu’s history that Assembly trust vote proceedings were telecast live.
Vijay received support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, IUML and rebel AIADMK legislators led by SP Velumani. The support helped the TVK government comfortably cross the majority mark in the Assembly.
During the proceedings, AIADMK MLA SP Velumani openly backed the confidence motion, triggering heated exchanges between rival AIADMK factions inside the House. The split became more visible as several rebel AIADMK MLAs arrived together at the Assembly ahead of voting.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) announced that his faction would vote against the Vijay government. He also alleged that attempts were being made to lure MLAs with money in exchange for support during the trust vote.
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin attacked both the ruling TVK and the divided AIADMK, claiming the state government had “lost public trust on day one.” He alleged that the Chief Minister rushed to meet rebel AIADMK MLAs even before they formally distanced themselves from the party.
“This is not change, this is an exchange,” Udhayanidhi said, while announcing the DMK’s boycott of the voting process. The DMK legislators later walked out of the Assembly.
Several parties backing the TVK government accused the BJP of attempting to create instability in Tamil Nadu. Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML leaders claimed their support to TVK was aimed at preventing “backdoor attempts” to impose President’s Rule or expand BJP influence in the state.
The CPI stated that the BJP was trying to destabilise the government through indirect means, while the CPM accused the Governor of delaying government formation procedures.
Congress Legislature Party leader Rajesh Kumar confirmed the party’s support for the confidence motion, saying secular parties had united to stop political interference in the state.
The VCK also extended full support to the Vijay government, saying it wanted to ensure “communal forces do not gain control in Tamil Nadu.”
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Bhojrajan rejected allegations against his party and maintained that the BJP’s role would remain neutral.
DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakant also criticised reports of alleged horse-trading and questioned the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as a political advisor to the Chief Minister.
Despite the heated political exchanges, the Vijay-led TVK government comfortably survived its first major legislative test, strengthening the Chief Minister’s position just days after taking oath.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
