The floor test is now underway in the Tamil Nadu assembly and political parties are now participating in the proceedings.
How Do The Numbers Stack Up For Vijay In The Assembly?
Currently, TVK has 107 seats (after Chief Minister Vijay abdicated the Tiruchirappali East seat) in the assembly. The party also has the support of 13 MLAs of Congress, IUML, VCK, CPI and CPM.
But, TVK MLA Srinivasa Sethupathi has been restrained by the Madras High Court from taking part in the floor test as an MLA. This has reduced one MLA who can help Vijay pass the floor test.
However, AMMK MLA S Kamaraj has also extended his support to Vijay’s TVK, changing his stance from his earlier forgery allegations.
So, now Chief Minister Vijay’s TVK has 120 MLAs for the floor test.
TVK MLA Barred From Participating In Floor Test
Just a day before the test, the Madras High Court restrained TVK MLA Srinivasa Sethupathi from taking part in the floor test as an MLA.
Sethipathi had defeated DMK leader Periyakaruppan by one vote in the Tiruppattur seat in the assembly elections.
After TVK came to power, Periakaruppan knocked on the door of the Madras High Court, alleging irregularities in the vote-counting process, including a postal ballot’s alleged rejection that was mistakenly sent to another constituency.
The high court, in an interim order, restrained Sethupathi from voting or taking part in any floor test, confidence motion, no-confidence motion, trust vote or any other proceedings where the House’s numerical strength is tested till further orders.
Vijay Appoints Astrologer As His Political Adviser, Faces Opposition From Allies
Chief Minister Vijay has also been facing opposition from his political allies after appointing his astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, and the Officer on Special Duty or OSD to the Chief Minister.
The astrologer had predicted Vijay’s landslide victory in the elections. However, the move has not settled with the allies, including Congress, who have opposed this step of the chief minister.
Taking to X, Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil said, “Beats me. Why would an astrologer require an OSD position ?? Can any one explain.”
“This is unacceptable in a secular government. The Honourable Chief Minister should reconsider this,” said VCK general secretary D Ravikumar.
AIADMK’s Spilts, Faction Extends Support To TVK
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party, which was founded by MG Ramachandran, is now staring at a split amid the political upheaval in the state.
On May 12, a group of MLAs revolted against AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and accused him of seeking to form an alliance with their arch-rival DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam). The revolting MLAs extended their support to Vijay’s government ahead of the floor test.
Nearly 30 MLAs, led by senior leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam, are reported to be in the rebel camp, which has questioned the leadership of Palaniswami after the defeat of the party in the assembly elections.
More than a floor test for the TVK government, Vijay’s trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has turned into a litmus test for the AIADMK.
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