Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay successfully proved his majority in the State Assembly after the TVK-led government won the crucial floor test with the support of 144 MLAs, amid dramatic scenes, sharp political exchanges, rebellion within the AIADMK camp, and strong attacks from the opposition during the high-voltage Assembly session.
Coimbatore: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister Vijay comfortably passed the confidence motion in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday, securing 144 votes in favour during the high-stakes floor test. Around 22 MLAs reportedly voted against the motion, while several parties abstained or staged a walkout during the proceedings.
The floor test witnessed intense political drama, particularly within the AIADMK camp, as a rebel faction led by senior AIADMK leaders S. P. Velumani and C. V. Shanmugam extended support to the Vijay-led government despite strong opposition from AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
Congress, CPI(M), VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also backed the Vijay-led dispensation during the floor test proceedings. While Congress supported the government with its five MLAs, CPI(M), VCK and IUML contributed two MLAs each. Expelled Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) MLA S. Kamaraj also voted in favour of the government, helping the coalition comfortably cross the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.
Speaking during the debate, Edappadi K. Palaniswami urged AIADMK MLAs not to support the Vijay government and reminded them that they were bound by the party whip. He said the AIADMK had “fought together” in the elections and secured 47 seats, adding that the party remained committed to restoring the “MGR and Amma-style rule” in Tamil Nadu.
Countering EPS’ allegations of bribery and horse-trading during the trust vote proceedings, rebel AIADMK MLA S.P. Velumani defended the Chief Minister and said Vijay had received a clear mandate from the people in the elections. He dismissed claims that MLAs were being influenced with cash and asserted that support for the TVK government reflected the people’s verdict.
On the other hand, the DMK abstained from voting and staged a walkout during the proceedings. DMK leader and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on the Vijay-led government while announcing the party’s decision to abstain from the trust vote.
Speaking during the Assembly debate, Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that the TVK had failed to secure a clear public mandate in the elections and was relying on post-poll alliances to remain in power. He claimed that nearly 65 per cent of voters had rejected Vijay as Chief Minister and accused the TVK chief of “losing faith in the people.”
The DMK leader also questioned Vijay’s credibility, stating that the Chief Minister “has no basic honesty in what he has said,” while raising allegations of horse-trading during the confidence vote proceedings. Taking a swipe at the NDA camp, Udhayanidhi pointed out that BJP ally Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) was now backing the TVK government. He further claimed that many people were already regretting voting for Vijay in the Assembly elections.
The Assembly proceedings witnessed heated exchanges, slogan shouting, and repeated objections from opposition members over alleged political manoeuvring and internal party splits. Despite the disruptions, the Speaker proceeded with the voting process and officially declared the confidence motion passed.
The floor test witnessed intense political drama, particularly within the AIADMK camp, as a rebel faction led by senior AIADMK leaders S. P. Velumani and C. V. Shanmugam extended support to the Vijay-led government despite strong opposition from AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
Congress, CPI(M), VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also backed the Vijay-led dispensation during the floor test proceedings. While Congress supported the government with its five MLAs, CPI(M), VCK and IUML contributed two MLAs each. Expelled Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) MLA S. Kamaraj also voted in favour of the government, helping the coalition comfortably cross the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.
Speaking during the debate, Edappadi K. Palaniswami urged AIADMK MLAs not to support the Vijay government and reminded them that they were bound by the party whip. He said the AIADMK had “fought together” in the elections and secured 47 seats, adding that the party remained committed to restoring the “MGR and Amma-style rule” in Tamil Nadu.
Countering EPS’ allegations of bribery and horse-trading during the trust vote proceedings, rebel AIADMK MLA S.P. Velumani defended the Chief Minister and said Vijay had received a clear mandate from the people in the elections. He dismissed claims that MLAs were being influenced with cash and asserted that support for the TVK government reflected the people’s verdict.
On the other hand, the DMK abstained from voting and staged a walkout during the proceedings. DMK leader and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on the Vijay-led government while announcing the party’s decision to abstain from the trust vote.
Speaking during the Assembly debate, Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that the TVK had failed to secure a clear public mandate in the elections and was relying on post-poll alliances to remain in power. He claimed that nearly 65 per cent of voters had rejected Vijay as Chief Minister and accused the TVK chief of “losing faith in the people.”
The DMK leader also questioned Vijay’s credibility, stating that the Chief Minister “has no basic honesty in what he has said,” while raising allegations of horse-trading during the confidence vote proceedings. Taking a swipe at the NDA camp, Udhayanidhi pointed out that BJP ally Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) was now backing the TVK government. He further claimed that many people were already regretting voting for Vijay in the Assembly elections.
The Assembly proceedings witnessed heated exchanges, slogan shouting, and repeated objections from opposition members over alleged political manoeuvring and internal party splits. Despite the disruptions, the Speaker proceeded with the voting process and officially declared the confidence motion passed.