Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay confirmed his majority in the state legislature on Wednesday, May 13, three days after taking oath. This was Vijay’s third major victory in the state after his party – Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) – emerged as the single largest party in the polls and then rushed to muster the support of several smaller allies to finally be able to claim to form the government in the state.
With 144 votes, a number far greater than what is actually needed to prove a majority, actor and politician Vijay has now consolidated his position as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
While he was struggling to convince minor parties only last week to help him reach the majority mark to form the government, the actor-turned-politician has now come a long way in just a few days as he registered a comfortable victory during the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Also Read: Vijay finally proves majority, passes floor test with support of 144 MLAs
However, the vote of confidence did not lack any drama, much like Vijay’s own films, as the council witnessed chaos and infighting as well as walkouts.
Here’s what happened during the vote of confidence for Vijay
AIADMK vs AIADMK
While the support of the smaller parties – CPI, CPI(M), VCK, IUML and AMMK – was expected and was enough for Vijay to prove a majority in the House, what changed the game for him was the unexpected support from the rebel AIADMK faction, which supported him during the floor test.
A group of AIADMK MLAs, headed by senior leaders CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani, on Tuesday announced that they will support Vijay as he respects the mandate of the people. The faction also accused the other group of MLAs, who rallied behind general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, of wanting to side with the DMK to form the government.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly is expected to erupt into chaos when the AIADMK confronts each other during the confidence vote. While the EPS announced that all 47 party members would oppose Vijay’s government, the rebel faction went ahead to support Vijay anyway.
The rebel bloc on Tuesday claimed that it has the support of 30 MLAs who will support Vijay, however, he received only 25 votes from the party after the vote split in the party.
DMK withdraws
During the vote of confidence, Leader of the Opposition and DMK MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the AIADMK faction’s support for Vijay, saying the party MLAs who fought under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are now supporting Vijay.
He also criticized Vijay for leaving his seat in Trichy (East) without visiting the place to thank people for their support.
Saying that 65% of the state did not vote for TVK, Stalin said his party MLAs would participate in the Assembly.
“We are withdrawing from Parliament. Once we withdraw, you will get a majority. I ask you not to politicize the welfare schemes introduced by our government,” he said.
Disagreement over the appointment of the astronomer
Another criticism that Vijay faced during his confidence vote was over the appointment of astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of the Prime Minister.
Also Read: Astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel removed from OSD by Tamil Nadu government amid row
DMK allies Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK) and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) spoke against Vetrivel’s appointment and said that Vijay could have appointed him as his personal secretary instead of giving him a formal government post.
“Don’t bring astrology formulas into the government, especially if they personally think it’s up to them, there’s no problem, but it shouldn’t come into the government. We don’t support TVK in the floor test,” MJK president Thamin Ansari said.
However, it seems that Vijay has taken the criticism and put it into practice as Vetrivel’s appointment was canceled immediately after he won the vote of confidence.
A promise from Vijay
After much struggle to finally become a majority-backed chief minister in Tamil Nadu, Vijay promised that his government would remain secular.
He expressed his gratitude to all the MLAs who extended support to him and said his government would not be involved in horse trading but would run the state at the speed of a horse.
During his speech after winning the confidence vote, Vijay described his administration as a “government for the common people” that ensures “social justice, equality of opportunity and secularism”.
“There will be no discrimination between those who voted and those who did not vote. This is a government for all. This is a government for the common people. This is a government that transcends caste and religious boundaries. This is a government that shows no discrimination. This is a government that protects culture. This is a progressive government. This is a government that will not harm anyone or anything for political reasons. They will understand all this in time. So, instead of jumping to respond, it is a government that acts courageously.” “And he succeeds at everything,” Vijay said.
