Chennai, May 13:
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday sailed through the confidence motion in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, securing the support of 144 MLAs — comfortably above the majority mark of 118 — in a high-voltage political showdown.
The trust vote unfolded amid dramatic scenes, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its allies staging a walkout, while five MLAs — including four from the PMK and one from the BJP — abstained. With fewer members present and voting, only 22 legislators from the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led faction of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam opposed the motion.
A key highlight of the vote was the open split within the AIADMK. A rebel faction led by leaders such as C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani extended support to Vijay, with at least 25 MLAs defying party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and voting in favour of the government. This unexpected move significantly boosted the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and exposed deep divisions within the opposition party.
Apart from TVK, which emerged as the single largest party, the government received backing from five Congress MLAs and eight legislators from Left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Vijay’s initial support base stood at around 120 MLAs, though one legislator was barred from voting by the Madras High Court.
Despite the setback, the EPS-led camp retained 22 MLAs, raising questions about the future of the AIADMK. For the rebel faction to formally merge with the ruling side and avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, they would need the support of at least two-thirds of the AIADMK legislature party — 31 of its 47 MLAs — a threshold they have not yet met.
Allegations of horse-trading dominated the debate, with the opposition accusing the ruling side of engineering defections.
Responding in the Assembly, Vijay dismissed the claims, stating that his government would move forward at “horse speed” while maintaining stability.
With the trust vote now concluded, political attention has shifted to the evolving power dynamics within the AIADMK and the potential realignment of forces in Tamil Nadu politics, even as Vijay’s government consolidates its position in the Assembly.