Tamil Nadu Floor Test Highlights: Vijay sails through Tamil Nadu trust vote; 5 MLAs abstain

The Supreme Court on Wednesday paused the Madras High Court order which had restrained TVK MLA R Sreenivasa Sethupathi from participating in the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

"This is atrocious to say the least. The high court says the remedy is an election petition but still entertains the Article 226 petition," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi observed while hearing the plea.

Article 226 of the Constitution deals with the power of high courts to issue certain writs.

The bench also paused the proceeding pending before the high court in the matter.

Sethupathi had won from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency in Sivagangai district by a margin of a single vote against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and former minister KR Periakaruppan.

(with inputs from PTI)

Now that the dust over the trust vote has settled, attention has shifted to the widening split within the AIADMK after 25 MLAs broke ranks to back Vijay. Defying party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s directive, the rebel legislators effectively signalled a shift in loyalty, leaving EPS with just 22 MLAs in his camp.

However, the rebel faction still falls short of the numbers needed to bypass the anti-defection law and formally merge with the TVK. Under the rules, the group would require the support of at least two-thirds of the AIADMK legislature party — 31 of its 47 MLAs.

Amid allegations of horse-trading from the EPS camp during the floor test, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay said his government functioned at “horse speed”, not through horse-trading.

Replying to the debate on the confidence motion in the Assembly, Vijay asserted that his government would remain secular and continue implementing welfare schemes introduced by previous regimes.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Wednesday condemned the "anti-Sanatan" remarks made by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and demanded that his statement be expunged from the house records.

The RSS affiliate further questioned whether he would dare make similar remarks against any other religion.

The remarks came after Stalin, the Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, on Tuesday called for the "abolition" of Sanatan Dharma, claiming that it divides people, repeating the controversial statement he made in September 2023.

(with inputs from PTI)

The Congress on Wednesday praised Chief Minister Vijay’s victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly floor test, calling it a victory for democracy and the people’s mandate.

Reacting after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government secured 144 votes in favour and 22 against, Congress leader Manickam Tagore said the Assembly outcome had reaffirmed the democratic verdict delivered by the people.

“This is not an ordinary victory. It is a great victory for change, good governance and the people’s trust. Tamil Nadu has won. Democracy has won. Tomorrow’s victory is ours,” he wrote on X.

As the TVK sailed through the trust vote, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay thanked the MLAs from his party, TVK, and others who voted for him and said his government was not arrogant. He said it is a government for minorities.

With the trust vote being conducted, the Assembly session is over.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay comfortably won the trust vote as 144 MLAs voted in favour of him, while 22 legislators from the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK faction voted against him. As many as 25 MLAs from the CV Shanmugam faction voted in favour of Vijay, while four PMK MLAs and one BJP legislator abstained from voting.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar is counting the MLAs present in the House ahead of the trust vote. With the DMK staging a walkout, the remaining legislators from TVK, Left, VCK, IUML, BJP, DMDK, PMK and others are present.

Amid growing criticism from the alliance partners and rivals over the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vetrivel as an officer on special duty in the Chief Minister's office, Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay, on the day of the floor test, said that he would reconsider the move.

The development came after the decision drew criticism from parties that extended their support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government after uncertainties gripped the state's political arena. Among them is Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a party that supported the TVK-led government from outside with its two MLAs. On the day of the crucial floor test, MLA Vanni Arasu criticised the government for appointing Vetrivel as Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Minister’s Office.

With 30 out of 47 AIADMK MLAs backing Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay's government, the trust vote in the Assembly could decide not just the fate of the new government but also if party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami can still hold his flock together. READ MORE HERE

Following Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks during the confidence motion debate, the DMK MLAs have walked out of the House, handing Chief Minister Vijay a huge advantage in terms of numerical strength. The DMK has 59 MLAs.

The Assembly strength is currently 232 and the majority mark is 117. But with the DMK staging a walkout, the majority mark has come down to 88, giving the TVK an easy advantage to sail through.

Taking aim at the political manoeuvring surrounding the Tamil Nadu trust vote, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam was indulging in open horse-trading and turning state politics into “meme content”.

Speaking during the Assembly confidence motion debate, Stalin said even before MLAs formally switched sides, leaders from the ruling camp were personally visiting and inviting them. “This is new. Even before jumping parties, leaders are going there and giving invitations,” he sarcastically said.

The DMK leader also referred to divisions within the AIADMK and alleged that the TVK was trying to engineer defections to secure numbers in the Assembly. “People are wondering whether there is a huge exchange behind what you call ‘change’,” he said.

DMK MLA and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay during a debate on the confidence motion, saying the state needed a “real government, not a reel government”.

Stalin questioned the legitimacy of the TVK government, arguing that it lacked a majority and survived only because of support from parties that had contested elections alongside the DMK alliance.

Udhayanidhi said CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML had extended support to TVK only to prevent President’s Rule and ensure the formation of a secular government.

“But what is happening here? Your ideological enemy, who fought under BJP leadership, has been made to support you,” he said, referring to support from sections within the AIADMK camp.

High drama unfolded in the Tamil Nadu Assembly during the confidence motion debate after AIADMK MLAs objected to the Speaker inviting rebel legislator SP Velumani to speak in the House.

Members of the AIADMK protested the move, accusing the ruling TVK of attempting to legitimise dissidence within the opposition ranks ahead of the trust vote. Velumani said Vijay had the mandate and that the AIADMK faction led by CV Shanmugam had decided to back Vijay.

Amid the uproar, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami called for unity within the party to defeat Chief Minister Vijay during the confidence motion.

His remarks triggered sharp reactions from AIADMK members, further intensifying tensions in the Assembly during the crucial floor test proceedings.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said all MLAs of his party would vote against Chief Minister Vijay during the Tamil Nadu Assembly confidence motion.

Addressing the Assembly, the AIADMK general secretary urged Vijay to run a transparent government on the lines of former Chief Ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.

Palaniswami also warned the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) against indulging in horse-trading, saying the party had received a mandate with 47 per cent of the vote and should not attempt to poach legislators.

He alleged that he heard rumours of some MLAs being approached with cash offers to switch allegiances, though he did not name anyone.

“Sixty-six per cent of the people did not vote for TVK,” Palaniswami said, arguing that the government should remain accountable and respect the opposition mandate as well.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

Sowmya Anbumani, MLA of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), on Wednesday objected to repeated criticism of the BJP during the Tamil Nadu Assembly debate on the confidence motion moved by the TVK government.

Speaking in the Assembly, Sowmya Anbumani, whose party is part of the NDA, said the discussion on the trust vote was increasingly turning into a platform to target the BJP instead of focusing on governance and public issues.

She also raised concerns over the functioning of liquor outlets in the state, alleging that the closure of one liquor shop often led to the emergence of multiple illegal side shops nearby.

“If you close one liquor shop, four side shops are being opened. It should be closely monitored,” she said, urging the TVK government to strengthen enforcement and prevent the spread of unauthorised liquor sales.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

Tamil Nadu CM Floor Test: Keep him personal, says DMDK as it slams Vijay for appointing astrologer in govt

Premalatha Vijayakanth of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on Wednesday strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as a Special Political Officer in the Chief Minister’s Office.

Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly during the confidence motion debate, Premalatha questioned the message being sent to the youth through the appointment of Vijay’s “Rajaguru”. “If he is your Rajaguru, you should keep him personally. But bringing him into a high government position is strongly condemnable,” she said.

Premalatha said the people of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth, had voted with faith in democracy and placed power in Vijay’s hands expecting change and progressive governance.

“What example are you setting for the youth? What message are you sending to the future generation?” she asked, demanding clarity from the Chief Minister.

She further said the new government must become a model for future generations and uphold values that inspire young people rather than promote superstition or personality-driven politics.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

The Indian Union Muslim League and the Communist Party of India, both having two MLAs each, have backed actor-politician Vijay's TVK ahead of the trust vote.

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, whose lone MLA was expelled for extending support to Vijay, reiterated his remark and said he would back TVK in the trust vote.

With the VCK, Congress and CPI (M) also backing the TVK, the government is expected to sail through the floor test.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA Vanni Arasu took a veiled dig at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Minister’s Office, days after the TVK government took charge.

“Our government should give importance to scientific thinking and not astrology,” Arasu said ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly confidence motion.

At the same time, the VCK leader reiterated support for the TVK government and expressed confidence that it would survive the floor test and complete a full five-year term.

He also praised Vijay’s approach, saying the Chief Minister had shown that the government would work for both supporters and opponents alike.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

While we await the result of today's trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, check out this in-depth analysis of CM Vijay's decision to shut down over 700 government-owned liquor outlets. It was among the first major decisions that Vijay took as Chief Minister and is a politically loaded move since it pitches the government's need for revenue against public welfare obligations.

The Congress, CPM and VCK have said they will back Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's TVK in the trust vote.

The Congress has five MLAs, while the CPM and VCK have two legislators each.

The VCK said it had earlier backed DMK before the Assembly polls, but the TVK won a decisive mandate. On the other hand, the Congress said Tamil Nadu had always rejected secular politics and will always stand by the state's secular values.

The trust vote proceedings have begun in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with the Congress agreeing to support TVK in the floor test.

Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) appears comfortably placed ahead of the Tamil Nadu floor test, with support from the Congress, Left parties, VCK, IUML and an AMMK MLA, taking its tally to 121, four more than the majority mark. The current Assembly strength is 232.

The lone AMMK legislator who backed TVK was subsequently expelled by party chief TTV Dhinakaran.

In addition, a rebel faction of the AIADMK led by CV Shanmugam, with 30 MLAs, has also extended support to TVK. The remaining 17 MLAs are with the faction led by AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami.

The numbers become even more favourable for TVK if the DMK stages a walkout during the trust vote. In that scenario, the effective strength of the Tamil Nadu Assembly would fall, bringing down the majority mark to 88 seats.

Several DMK MLAs who arrived at the Tamil Nadu Assembly for Chief Minister Vijay's floor test, refused to answer questions on whether they would skip the floor test and walk out of the House.

Sources earlier told India Today TV that the DMK is likely to stage a walkout from the House during the trust vote.

AIADMK MLA CV Shanmugam, who announced his support for TVK, along with 29 MLAs, has said he will back the actor-politician Vijay's party during the trust vote.

(with inputs from Pramod Madhav)

The Madras High Court carved out a narrow exception to Article 329(b) of the Constitution while hearing the dispute involving R Seenivasa Sethupathi, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA from Tiruppattur who won by just one vote against DMK’s KR Periakaruppan.

Article 329(b) bars courts from intervening in election disputes outside an election petition under the Representation of the People Act. Sethupathi argued that Periakaruppan could only seek relief through such a plea.

However, the High Court said the case involved an “extraordinary factual situation” linked to preservation of electoral material and an alleged wrongly transmitted postal ballot. It held that if key electoral records were lost, the remedy of an election petition itself would become “illusory”.

The court clarified that it was neither setting aside the election nor ordering a recount, but only preserving the integrity of the electoral process until the dispute was fully examined.

The bench highlighted three crucial factors – the one-vote victory margin, the alleged EVM discrepancy and the disputed postal ballot. It also criticised election officials over the handling of the postal ballot, saying the episode exposed a “procedural vacuum” in dealing with ballots mistakenly sent to another constituency.

The court observed that election officials are “constitutional functionaries” duty-bound to ensure every valid vote reaches its lawful destination.
 

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has arrived in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to participate in the trust vote to determine if Chief Minister Vijay's TVK-led government can sail through.

AIADMK currently has 47 MLAs.

The opposition DMK, which has 59 MLAs, is likely to abstain from the trust vote and walk out of the Assembly during the voting.

The AIADMK appeared headed for a split on Tuesday after a group of MLAs revolted against party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and announced support for the Vijay-led government ahead of Wednesday’s crucial floor test. Around 30 MLAs, led by senior leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam, are believed to be in the rebel camp. Speaking to reporters, Shanmugam said the dissident legislators would meet Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and submit a letter backing the TVK government. He also alleged that Palaniswami wanted to form a government with the DMK’s support, a move he said went against the AIADMK’s founding principles.

The AIADMK leadership dismissed the allegations as “rumours” and accused the dissident leaders of spreading “lies” after failing to secure victories in their own districts. The DMK also denied claims of any post-poll alliance talks, with organising secretary RS Bharati asserting that the party would function as a constructive opposition. Adding to the political drama, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan claimed both the DMK and AIADMK had approached him to become chief minister as part of a possible anti-TVK arrangement, though his party eventually rejected the proposal.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will visit the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) headquarters in Chennai on Wednesday afternoon as political activity intensifies ahead of the crucial floor test the TVK-led government is scheduled to face on May 13.

According to a statement issued by Congress spokesperson A Gopanna, Vijay will meet TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, AICC secretaries Suraj Hegde and Nivedith Alva, and Congress Legislature Party leader S Rajeshkumar at Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the Congress headquarters in the city.

Several senior Congress leaders, including former TNCC presidents, central ministers and party MLAs, are also expected to be present during the meeting.