Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay speaks in the state Assembly during floor test, in Chennai. | Photo Credit: @tamilnaduassembly/Yt via PTI Photo

The new Tamil Nadu government led by C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday comfortably won the crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, securing the support of 144 members.

While 22 MLAs voted against the motion, five members remained neutral during the confidence vote moved by the Chief Minister Vijay to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

The trust vote exposed a sharp split within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), with 25 rebel MLAs led by S P Velumani and C V Shanmugam backing the TVK and 22 legislators aligned with party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami opposing the resolution. Subsequently, on Wednesday evening, AIADMK’s Palaniswami cracked the whip, and also announced removal of party positions from those supporting Velumani and Shanmugam.

With 108 MLAs — ten short of majority — the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) received support from the Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League. The lone MLA of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, S Kamaraj, also extended support to the government.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam walked out of the Assembly ahead of the voting. The Pattali Makkal Katchi legislators and the lone BJP MLA abstained.

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in his speech said that voters are keenly watching the TVK government’s actions and urged them to work for the welfare of the entire State.

After all the parties, including allies VCK and Communist, conveyed their displeasure on the TVK’s move to appoint astrologer Rathan Pandit as Officer on Special Duty, the order has been reportedly revoked.

The voting proceedings telecast live for the first time witnessed heated scenes after rebel AIADMK leader SP Velumani was permitted to speak immediately after Palaniswami.

Legislators backing Palaniswami objected to the Speaker allowing another member from the same party to speak after the party’s general secretary had already opposed the motion.

Speaking after the vote, Vijay thanked members for supporting the motion and said his government would function with a “strong conscience” and remain secular.

Recalling TVK’s electoral rise, he said the party secured 34.92 per cent vote share and over 1.72 crore votes within three years of its launch.

“We are a minority government but will safeguard minorities and work for all sections of the people. This is the people’s government,” he said.

Published on May 13, 2026