Tamil Nadu floor test: Vijay secures support of 117 MLAs as trust vote begins in assembly

The floor test for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay began in the state assembly on Wednesday, days after he was sworn in as chief minister following the assembly elections.

MLAs from various parties participated in the trust vote proceedings as Vijay sought to prove his majority after forming the government with support from smaller allies.

The confidence vote is also being closely watched amid signs of a widening split within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

A rebel faction led by senior AIADMK leaders C V Shanmugam and SP Velumani has reportedly decided to support Vijay’s government, claiming the backing of around 30 of the party’s 47 MLAs.

However, AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP IS Inbadurai warned that legislators defying the party whip could face disqualification under the anti-defection law.

Meanwhile, political suspense continues in Kerala, where the Congress is expected to announce its chief ministerial pick more than a week after the assembly election results.

Several senior Kerala Congress leaders, including former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs and United Democratic Front leaders, met Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday to discuss the leadership issue.

According to sources, seven leaders backed Congress MP KC Venugopal for the post, while K Muralidharan and VM Sudheeran supported VD Satheesan.

Kerala Congress chief Sunny Joseph hinted that a decision could be announced soon, saying on Tuesday that “white smoke can be expected soon,” drawing a comparison with the Vatican’s papal selection process.