Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Wednesday won the floor test in the Assembly after his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government secured support from 144 legislators, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118.
A total of 171 MLAs were present during voting in the 234-member House. The trust vote became crucial for the newly formed government after no party secured a clear majority in the Assembly election.
The ruling TVK received support from a section of rebel legislators from AIADMK, while the opposition DMK staged a walkout before voting began.
AIADMK rebels back Vijay government
Around 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of the Vijay-led government. The development exposed sharp divisions inside the party, with one faction supporting the trust vote and another opposing it.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced that the party would oppose the motion. However, rebel leaders led by S.P. Velumani extended support to the government, triggering uproar inside the Assembly.
The internal crisis later intensified after Palaniswami removed several leaders, including C.V. Shanmugam and Velumani, from party positions.
மனசாட்சி உள்ள மக்களாட்சி அமைத்துள்ள மக்கள் அரசின் மீதான நம்பிக்கை கோரும் தீர்மானம், இன்று சட்டமன்றத்தில் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டது. மக்கள் நம்பிக்கை மூலம் அமைக்கப்பட்ட நமது அரசுக்கு ஆதரவு அளிக்கப்பட்டும் வாக்களிக்கப்பட்டும் நம்பிக்கைத் தீர்மானம் வெற்றி பெற்றுள்ளது.
இந்த வெற்றிக்குக்…
— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) May 13, 2026
DMK stages walkout during Tamil Nadu floor test
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin announced the DMK’s walkout during the debate on the trust motion.
He questioned Vijay’s outreach to rebel AIADMK legislators and accused the government of relying on political bargaining for survival.
“Instagram Reel politics cannot replace real governance,” Stalin said in the Assembly.
Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Vijay said his government would function “with the speed of a horse, not through horse-trading”.
Congress, Left and allies support TVK
The Vijay government also received support from Congress, CPI(M), IUML and VCK legislators.
The political realignment began soon after the election results on May 4, when TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats but fell short of the majority mark.
Congress later extended support, followed by Left parties and regional allies, helping the alliance cross the halfway mark.
BJP and PMK stay away from voting
The lone BJP MLA maintained a neutral stand during the floor test, while PMK legislators stayed away from voting.
During the debate, several opposition members also questioned the appointment of astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Minister’s Office.
Vijay became Chief Minister on May 10
Vijay took oath as Tamil Nadu’s ninth Chief Minister on May 10 after securing post-poll support from multiple parties.
Soon after assuming office, the government announced key decisions, including closure of 717 liquor shops located near schools, temples and bus stands. The government also announced measures related to women’s safety and anti-drug enforcement.
