Chennai, 13 May (H.S.):The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will face a crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, as the ruling coalition seeks to formally establish its majority amid deepening divisions within the opposition AIADMK.

The confidence vote has assumed major political significance just days after Vijay took oath as Chief Minister following a dramatic post-election realignment in the State. While the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections by securing 108 seats in the 234-member House, the party fell short of the simple majority mark of 118, triggering intense political negotiations over government formation.

Vijay was subsequently sworn in as Chief Minister on Sunday with the backing of the Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Nadu and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). However, the ruling party’s tally later dropped to 107 after Vijay resigned one of the two Assembly constituencies he had won from Tiruchy East.

Acting Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar later directed the newly formed government to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly by Wednesday. The House is scheduled to convene at 9.30 a.m., during which Vijay is expected to move the motion of confidence before members.

The political arithmetic has since shifted in favour of the ruling alliance after more than 20 AIADMK MLAs, led by senior leader C.Ve. Shanmugam, decided to support the TVK government. Mannargudi MLA Kamaraj, elected on an AMMK ticket, has also announced support to the ruling coalition, significantly strengthening Vijay’s position ahead of the vote.

The ruling camp currently claims the support of 119 legislators, including 106 TVK MLAs, five Congress members and two legislators each from CPI, CPI(M), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Nadu and IUML. However, the Madras High Court, while hearing a petition filed by DMK candidate Periyakaruppan, restrained Tiruppathur TVK MLA Srinivasa Sethupathi from participating in the trust vote.

Meanwhile, AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Inbadurai issued a stern warning to party MLAs against violating the official party whip, stating that legislators who abstain, remain neutral or vote in favour of the government could face disqualification proceedings under anti-defection laws.

The trust vote is expected to take place through either a voice vote or division, as secret ballot provisions do not apply in Assembly confidence motions. A failure to secure majority support could plunge the State into a constitutional crisis, potentially opening the door for the Governor to recommend dismissal of the government and imposition of President’s Rule.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman