There was nothing happy about Edappadi Palaniswami's birthday on May 12. His colleagues, instead of throwing a party, decided to play party pooper by splitting the party. 

Thirty of Palaniswami's colleagues in the AIADMK Legislature party, led by SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam, refused to propose his name as leader, leaving him in the minority with the support of just 17 legislators. This group then went to declare its support for the TVK government led by Joseph Vijay.

It is also obvious that the rebellion will not remain confined to the legislature party. Given the daggers drawn approach, it is clear that the party at large is no longer willing to put up with repeated failures under Palaniswami's leadership and wants to make the best of a hopeless situation. 

Read TS Sudhir's opinion

Tamil Nadu's ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has rolled back the appointment of an astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty (Political).

Radhan Pandit Vetrivel had been named to chief minister Joseph Vijay's staff, but that triggered protests from TVK critics and rivals, as well as a key ally - the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which has offered its two seats in support of the chief minister.

மக்கள் வழங்கிய ஜனநாயக ஆணை இன்று சட்டப்பேரவையில் மீண்டும் உறுதிப்படுத்தப்பட்டது.
144 ஆதரவு வாக்குகளுடன் மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. @TVKVijayHQ அவர்கள் நம்பிக்கை வாக்கெடுப்பில் வெற்றி பெற்றுள்ளார்.
எதிராக 22 வாக்குகள்
இது ஒரு சாதாரண வெற்றி அல்ல..
மாற்றத்திற்கும்,…

— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) May 13, 2026

Here is a party-wise breakdown of MLAs who supported the trust vote:

TVK: 105

Congress: 5

IUML: 2

VCK: 2

LEFT: 4

Expelled AMMK MLA: 1

AIADMK Rebels: 24

Total: 143

Majority: 118
Remaining votes:

AIADMK MLAs who voted against Vijay: 22

AIADMK MLAs who abstained from voting: 1

DMK MLAs who walked out: 59

MDMK MLAs who did not attend session: 2

TVK MLA barred by High Court from voting: 1

Seat left vacant by Vijay: 1

Speaker cannot vote unless there is a tie

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay thanked MLAs who supported him in the trust vote and assured them that the alliance that will rule the state will be that of 'Makkal' (people in Tamil). "The government will be one for the ordinary citizen and will have a strong conscience. The whistle has changed history," he said.

The Supreme Court stayed the Madras High Court order which had restrained TVK MLA R Sreenivasa Sethupathi from participating in the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

"This is atrocious to say the least. The high court says the remedy is election petition but still entertains the Article 226 petition," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi observed while hearing the plea.

Sethupathi had won the No 185 Tiruppattur assembly constituency in Sivagangai district by a margin of a single vote against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and former minister KR Periakaruppan.

#WATCH | Chennai | Leader of Opposition and DMK MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with his MLAs, walks out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly as the TVK govt to face Floor Test today pic.twitter.com/uLQWaIAvO0

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026

#WATCH | Chennai | DMK leader O Panneerselvam leaves from Tamil Nadu Assembly as his party MLAs staged a walkout ahead of the Floor Test of TVK govt pic.twitter.com/TNQQjEcCHa

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026

The TVK government, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, won the trust motion with 144 votes in its favour and 22 votes against it. Five MLAs abstained from the vote.

The PMK, BJP and a section of AIADMK leaders voted in favour of the motion, while all DMK MLAs staged a walkout.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay wins floor test in Tamil Nadu Assembly, 144 MLAs express confidence in government pic.twitter.com/Y6CPJ59Rfc

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 13, 2026

The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar started the trust vote process. After the counting of votes supporting the TVK government, votes against it saw no MLAs standing up. Then the counting of votes of MLAs who are abstaining or neutral was conducted.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay addressed the House, thanking leaders for their remarks and setting the tone for his government's tenure. He asserted that his administration would be a "secular government" and pledged that it would complete a full five-year term.

Emphasising inclusivity, Vijay said his government would not just serve those who support it, but also those who oppose it. He reiterated that the administration would uphold the principles of its ideological foundations, with a strong focus on social justice.

Vijay said that ongoing schemes introduced by the previous DMK government would continue, signalling policy continuity for beneficiaries across the state.

Responding to allegations of horse-trading, Vijay dismissed the claims, stating that his government runs on "horsepower, not horse-trading".

"My government not involved in horse trading, it will work at horse's speed" : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay speaks in Tamil Nadu Assembly, assures secular government pic.twitter.com/Ximqai6z6u

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 13, 2026

DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on the newly formed TVK government, questioning both its mandate and stability.

He said that out of the total 4.9 crore votes cast, TVK secured only 1.78 crore, claiming that nearly 3.2 crore people - around 65 per cent - had voted against the party, signalling declining public trust.

Raising concerns over political ethics, he accused the ruling side of taking support from an AMMK MLA without consent of the party leadership. He also mocked the new administration as a "Pushpa government", suggesting it is unstable and assembled through opportunistic alliances.

He warned that the government was losing the confidence of even those who voted for it, while accusing it of compromising on its claims of being "clean" by aligning with questionable forces.

Udhayanidhi Stalin also highlighted pending welfare commitments, saying women are still awaiting monthly support and other beneficiaries are unsure about scheme continuity. He pressed the new government to act swiftly and "not make people wait".

He concluded by advising the current leadership to focus on real economic growth rather than optics.

DMK MLAs walk out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly before the floor test of the TVK government pic.twitter.com/RTMsIZcwjh

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 13, 2026

Edappadi K Palaniswami said all AIADMK MLAs will oppose the trust vote. "I hear some of our MLAs are being lured for ministerial berths and other positions. I hope you don't derail from your promise of clean governance," he said.

Amid commotion, rebel AIADMK leader SP Velumani said AIADMK MLAs will support the trust vote. "We are not after power, we have been in the opposition for more than 30 years. People have given the mandate supporting Vijay," he said.

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami said that the 47 MLAs who won in the Assembly polls got support from people in the name of MGR and Jayalalithaa. "There are differences of opinion in the party, where one section wants to support the chief minister. I bring it to the Chief minister's attention so that it doesn't become a precedent," he said. He highlighted that the TVK only got 34 per cent of votes.

"We gave 10-year golden rule, brought reservation to enable poor students to study medicine, made the delta region an exclusive agricultural zone," he said.

BJP leader Vinod Selvam said appointing his astrologer as advisor is Vijay's choice. "If an actor can become a chief minister, why can't an astrologer become an advisor? It's a fair chance,"he said.

DMK ally MMK opposed the trust vote, with its leader Jawahirullah raising the lack of Muslim representation in the state Cabinet. He urged the continuation of the DMK government's schemes while also urging a strong stand on the NEET issue.

DMK allies MJK and KMDK opposed astrologer Radhan Pandit' appointment as the chief minister's advisor. Both parties opposed the trust vote.

KMDK leader Nithyanandan said that even if the government wins the trust vote, it may not win the people's confidence. "The Opposition's role is not to cause hurdles, but we will certainly oppose confusion and inexperience," he said.

DMK ally DMDK's chief Premlatha Vijayakanth has slammed Vijay for the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit as the Chief Minister's advisor. "What message are you sending with this appointment? If he is your astrologer, keep him in your personal life," she said.

She welcomed measures like closing liquor shops and announcing task force for women safety, but said the chief minister needs to address reports of horse-trading.

She did not specify if her party is supporting the TVK.

IUML leader Shahjahan said his party is extending support to the TVK to stop the BJP's tricks in Tamil Nadu. While praising Vijay's announcement to close over 700 liquor shops, he said he hoped the chief minister would make history. He urged the government to actively pursue and ensure secularism, while also requesting that ongoing welfare schemes continue.

Expelled AMMK MLA S Kamaraj extended support to the TVK. This will increase the TVK's strength in the Assembly to 108. While speaking in the Assembly, he sought the chief minister's protection.

The CPI extended support to the TVK, stating that it won't allow the BJP to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. "The Centre snatches state's rights, and states ought to be strong," he said.

"TVK government should work for the common people" : Left vows "complete support" for TVK in Tamil Nadu Assembly pic.twitter.com/LffetJiNcX

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 13, 2026

Congress' Rajesh Kumar: He praised Vijay's first three orders after taking oath, aimed at women safety, combatting the drug menace and supplying free electricity. He also said that the young population is expecting employment.

CPM's Selvasami: He said that the party is extending support to ensure stability and avoid Governor's rule. "We would welcome good schemes and won't hesitate to raise out voices. The TVK should work the common people," he said.

VCK's Vanniyarasu: He said that they are extending support to avoid Governor's rule in the state. "We expect a lot from this government. DMK allies foiled delimitation attempts by the Centre, we expect no compromise on this front. The government should also enact a special act on dishonour killings," he said. Vanniyarasu, who had opposed Radhan Pandit Vettrivel appointment as Vijay's advisor, said the government should give priority to science and not astrology. He also called for citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees in India and to continue DMK's flagship scheme, including one that provides brekafast to school children.

VCK's Vanniyarasu, speaking for the IUML, CPI, CPM and his party, extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu.

The Congress, while offering support to the TVK government, said the vote of confidence is not a normal vote but about respecting the democratic process and protecting social justice. "Congress will support this government. People's verdict is God's verdict. This is about the politics of love against the politics of hate. We will not allow communal harmony in the state to be destroyed," Congress's Rajesh Kumar said.

not a nromal vote, about respecting democratic process. to protect social justice, congress will support to this government. people have given a clear verdict. people'sverdict is god's verdict. politics of love against politics of hate, will not allow harmony in state to be destroyed.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay moved a resolution seeking confidence vote.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: TVK MLAs arrive at the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to face his first trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly today. pic.twitter.com/eccpNskLkd

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran also expelled party MLA S Kamaraj from the primary membership of the party and removed him from all party responsibilities after he extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with his MLAs, arrived at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly as his party faces a possible rebellion.

Around 30 MLAs, led by senior leaders SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam, extended their support to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's TVK. Vijay also visited the office of former Tamil Nadu minister CV Shanmugam on Tuesday, signalling a potential shift in the state's legislative alliances.

Shanumagan had alleged that the majority of party members had rejected a proposal to form a government with the support of the DMK.

The AIADMK has issued a whip ahead of the floor test, and party Rajya Sabha MP IS Inbadurai asserted that any MLA acting against the official whip would face disqualification under the anti-defection law.

The MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is likely to abstain from voting during the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA R Seenivasa Sethupathi challenging the Madras High Court's interim order restraining him from participating in any floor test proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Assembly amid a dispute over his one-vote victory from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency.

A bench of Justices L Victoria Gowri and N Senthilkumar had passed the interim direction while hearing a writ petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader KR Periakaruppan, who lost the Tiruppattur Assembly seat in Sivaganga district by a margin of just one vote.

Periakaruppan had alleged serious irregularities in the counting process and claimed that a postal ballot meant for Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No 185 in Sivaganga district was mistakenly sent to Tiruppattur Assembly constituency No 50 in Tiruppattur district near Vellore and was rejected there instead of being transmitted back to the correct constituency.

The opposition AIADMK appeared headed for a split on Tuesday after a group of MLAs revolted against party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of seeking an alliance with archrival DMK, and announced support for the Vijay-led government ahead of the floor test.

About 30 MLAs, led by senior leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam, are believed to be in the rebel camp that has questioned Palaniswami's leadership following the party's debacle in the April 23 assembly polls, where it won only 47 out of the 164 seats it contested.

The AIADMK leadership dismissed the allegations as "rumours" and accused the dissident leaders of "unleashing a bag of lies" after failing to secure victories in their own districts.