Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam supremo Vijay has won the confidence vote in the floor of the Tamil Nadu assembly, days after the newcomer became the single largest party as results to the assembly elections were declared on May 4.
While TVK won 108 seats in the polls, its claim to form government in the state were twice rebuffed by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath in the days leading up to today’s floor test. Arlekar had asked Vijay to prove that he had the requisite number of MLAs to go over the halfway mark of 118.
Eventual support of two MLAs each from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Indian Union Muslim League, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – along with five from the Congress – was able to take his alliance’s tally to 121.
Vijay and a few of his cabinet ministers were administered oath on May 10.
Today, Vijay was backed by 144 lawmakers. 22 MLAs voted against him. Five abstained.
A total of 59 MLAs of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam walked out. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had said that it 47 MLAs would vote against Vijay, but reports say 24 of its MLAs voted for him.
-- Agencies
