On 13th May (Wednesday), the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has received support from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLAs as the Tamil Nadu Assembly underwent a motion for the Vote of Confidence. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay also gained the backing of the 2 MLAs of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AMMK) only MLA reaffirmed his statement and declared that he would endorse TVK in the trust vote after he was expelled for the same. “I supported the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government yesterday, I support it today, and I will continue to support it for the next 5 years. CM Vijay is protecting the entire state. I believe he will not leave me either. I am sure our Vijay will protect and save me too,” Kamaraj expressed.
The floor test is taking place one day after Vijay met with allies, rivals All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and ardent opponent Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) founder Seeman in consecutive meetings. The actor-turned-politician withdrew from Trichy East and held Perambur, leaving the TVK with 107 seats in the assembly.
With 5 seats from Congress and two seats each from the CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML, the party appears to be passing the test with ease. The coalition now has 121 seats, surpassing the majority threshold, including the addition of one expelled AMMK MLA. The TVK allies offered their support as well as their recommendations and requests from the house’s largest party during the motion’s discussion.
Speaking at the Tamil Nadu Assembly, VCK MLA Vanni Arasu claimed that secular parties offered the government unwavering support and expressed optimism that it will successfully serve out its five-year term. Meanwhile, Thol Thirumavalavan, the head of the VCK, insisted that he was approached by the DMK and AIADMK to become chief minister and spearhead a possible alliance founded by the Dravidian archrivals to prevent the TVK from gaining power, but he had turned down the proposition.
Moreover, two groups forming inside the AIADMK reportedly heightened suspicion about a split within the party. One side is led by CV Shanmugam and the other is associated with former chief minister and party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. A plan to establish a government with DMK support was allegedly rejected by the majority of party members, according to Shanmugam. Vijay had visited his office a day earlier, intensifying speculation about a potential change in the coalition. However, party’s Rajya Sabha MP IS Inbadurai had warned that the anti-defection law would disqualify any MLA who disobeyed the official whip.
