D-day for CM Vijay: Confidence motion today amid AIADMK rebel support
CHENNAI: On the eve of the crucial confidence motion in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Vijay appears to have secured a comfortable lead following a strategic breakthrough with a rebel faction of the AIADMK. The Chief Minister visited the residence of Vijay Shanmugam yesterday to hold high-level discussions with dissident leaders, effectively cementing his position ahead of the 9:30 AM session today.
Rebel AIADMK leaders S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugam have publicly claimed the support of 30 MLAs for the CM. However, political analysts suggest that the allegiance of at least six members within this group remains fluid. In a further boost to the ruling TVK (Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam) alliance, Kamaraj, the sole legislator from the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), has also confirmed his vote in favor of Vijay.
The TVK-led coalition currently claims the support of over 145 members, comfortably surpassing the required majority mark of 118 in the House. Amidst the maneuvering, both the TVK and the AIADMK rebels alleged that AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) had unsuccessfully attempted to coordinate with the primary opposition, DMK, to destabilize the current government.
A "whip war" has broken out within the AIADMK. While EPS issued a whip to all 47 party MLAs to vote against the TVK government, the rebel faction appointed Vijayabaskar as their own whip, directing members to vote in favor of CM Vijay. Legal experts suggest that should the matter reach the Speaker, the rebel faction is likely to receive a favorable hearing. Meanwhile, the DMK, the four NDA members, and the PMK are yet to officially declare their final stance on the motion.
Legal setback for TVK MLA
In a significant development, the Madras High Court has barred TVK MLA R. Srinivasa Setupathy from participating in today's vote. The order follows a petition by DMK candidate K.R. Periyakaruppan, who challenged Setupathy’s one-vote victory in the Tirupattur constituency. Periyakaruppan alleged that postal ballots were improperly counted and misdirected to another constituency. While Setupathy has moved the Supreme Court for an emergency stay, the High Court maintained that his participation could jeopardize the legitimacy of the government’s majority while the dispute remains sub judice.
- TVK: 105 members (this total excludes the Speaker and the member currently barred by the court).
- AIADMK (Rebel Faction): 30 members.
- Indian National Congress: 5 members.
- CPI(M): 2 members.
- CPI: 2 members.
- VCK: 2 members.
- AMMK: 1 member.
The total projected strength for the Chief Minister stands at 147 members, which comfortably exceeds the required majority of 118.