Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay wins floor test in Assembly comfortably with 144 votes

Chief Minister C. Joseph VIjay comfortably won the trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) with the support of the CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML, from the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) led by the DMK, as well as that of 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs and the lone AMMK MLA.

After the DMK legislators and the lone DMDK MLA, Premallatha Vijayakant, walked out, the confidence motion moved by Mr. Vijay was put to vote by Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, despite AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s opposition to allowing rebel AIADMK leader – and his confidant until a few days ago – S.P. Velumani from speaking on the party’s behalf.

Mr. Velumani’s camp pledged support to Mr. Vijay. In the end, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) secured 144 votes, with 22 MLAs from Mr. Palaniswami’s camp opposing it. Four PMK MLAs and the lone BJP MLA voted ‘Neutral’.

Vijay thanks voters

Thanking everyone in the Assembly, Mr. Vijay said the people had reposed faith in the TVK government, just as they did in 1967 and 1977 to usher in “governments of the common people.” The “whistle revolution” had secured over 34% of votes to elect the TVK as the single-largest party in less than three years of its formation.

“If anyone thinks that this is a minority government, we are happy. This is a minority government, which will fight to protect the minorities,” he said, adding that this government was for everyone. The Chief Minister further promised a democratic, secular government rooted in social justice.

Reiterating that this was “a common man’s rule,” Mr. Vijay said the government was for the good of everyone and the public would realise this as time goes by. “This is not a government to show power or authority, it is to deliver good for the people. Public welfare is the sole motto of this government,” he said.