Divya Delhi: Vijay comfortably won the trust vote in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, securing the support of 144 MLAs, well above the majority mark of 118. The confidence motion was passed amid high political drama, with legislators of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and DMDK staging a walkout during the proceedings. The government also received crucial backing from a rebel faction of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by senior leaders Shanmugam and S. P. Velumani. At least 25 MLAs from the faction reportedly voted in favour of the government, exposing internal divisions within the AIADMK. Apart from Vijay’s party, the government was supported by Congress MLAs, Left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League. Meanwhile, four PMK MLAs and one BJP legislator abstained from voting. Following the walkout by DMK and allied legislators, only 22 MLAs from the camp led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami voted against the government. Responding to allegations of horse-trading, Vijay said his government was functioning with “horse speed” but not engaging in “horse-trading,” while assuring that welfare schemes and secular governance would continue.
