CM Vijay wins floor test with 144 MLAs support amid rift in AIADMK

Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay successfully won the floor test in the state Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The motion of confidence saw 144 votes in favor and 22 against, effectively solidifying the TVK’s position at the helm of the state. The victory was facilitated by a strategic walkout staged by the DMK, led by Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, which significantly reduced the effective strength of the House during the crucial voting process.

The final tally of 144 votes revealed a significant fracture within the opposition camp. While the TVK and its immediate allies—including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML—held a base strength of 120, the additional support came from a faction of AIADMK rebels who defied their party whip. Despite AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s directive to oppose the government, nearly two dozen members from his side appeared to have backed the trust motion. Palaniswami later alleged that the ruling party used ministerial offers to lure his MLAs, though he vowed that the AIADMK would remain a "responsible opposition."

Chief Minister Vijay’s government showed a broad coalition of support, with smaller parties and an expelled AMMK legislator, Kamaraj, pledging their backing for the next five years. However, the ruling party did face a minor legal hurdle; TVK MLA Srinivasa Sethupathi was barred from participating in the vote following a Madras High Court directive regarding an election challenge. Despite this, Vijay—who retained the Perambur seat after resigning from Trichy East—demonstrated a clear mandate to lead the state, marking the end of the long-standing DMK-AIADMK bipolar dominance.

Following the vote, Udhayanidhi Stalin took a parting shot at his former allies, specifically the Congress, for switching sides to support the TVK. He urged the new administration to govern effectively and cautioned against the politicization of welfare schemes initiated by the previous government. As the Assembly proceedings concluded, the TVK emerged not just as the single-largest party, but as a stabilized ruling force poised to implement its vision for a "New Tamil Nadu."