Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed high political drama as Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government faced a crucial floor test to prove their majority in the House. According to the Free Press Journal and other media reports, the trust vote began amid intense opposition protests and visible cracks within the AIADMK camp.
Vijay, who took oath as Chief Minister on May 10, moved the confidence motion in the Assembly after forming the government with the support of several smaller parties. The majority mark in the House currently stands at 117 after Vijay vacated one Assembly seat and the Speaker became ineligible to vote during the proceedings.
During the trust vote, Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), IUML and several independent legislators extended their support to the TVK government, helping Vijay cross the required majority figure. Reports also stated that a rebel faction within AIADMK, led by senior leaders C. Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani, backed Vijay during the proceedings.
VIDEO | The C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government faces floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The ruling TVK has an overall strength of 107, including the Speaker who may not vote. The party's Tirupattur MLA, R Seenivasa Sethupathy won't be able to cast his vote following a High… pic.twitter.com/ANnWyIUKry— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 13, 2026
However, the confidence vote also exposed deep divisions inside AIADMK. Party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami opposed Vijay’s government and warned that MLAs defying the official party whip could face action under the anti-defection law. He also questioned the Chief Minister’s engagement with the rebel faction ahead of the floor test.
Meanwhile, Pattali Makkal Katchi abstained from voting, while the lone BJP MLA remained neutral during the proceedings. The session also saw criticism from opposition leaders over appointments made by the new government.
Tamil Nadu Floor Test | In the Legislative Assembly, AIADMK MLA Edappadi K. Palaniswami says, "We will vote against the TVK government."
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026
(Photo source: TN Assembly) pic.twitter.com/sNJgsmvODq
The floor test is being viewed as a defining political moment for Vijay’s newly formed government and a major turning point in Tamil Nadu’s shifting political landscape.
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