The TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay won a trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday [1, 2].
The outcome stabilizes the new administration in Chennai after a period of political uncertainty and accusations of instability from opposition parties.
During the floor test on May 13, 2026, 144 legislators voted in favor of the government [3], while 22 voted against it [3]. Five members abstained from the vote [3]. The victory was secured despite a walkout by members of the DMK, who staged the protest to challenge the floor test and allege that the TVK government engaged in horse-trading [2, 4].
The government's numbers were bolstered by a split within the AIADMK. Reports vary on the exact number of AIADMK legislators who supported the TVK government, with estimates ranging between 25 and 30 [5, 6].
There are also slight contradictions regarding the government's baseline strength. India Today reported the TVK government possesses 121 MLAs, including five from the Congress party [7], while News18 cited a total of 120 MLAs [6].
Following the vote, C Joseph Vijay addressed the assembly. "This Government Also For Those Who Opposed Us," Vijay said [8].
The proceedings in the Chennai assembly highlighted a fractured opposition, as the AIADMK remained divided during the critical vote while the DMK opted to exit the chamber entirely [1, 4].
“"This Government Also For Those Who Opposed Us"”
The trust vote victory confirms that Chief Minister Vijay has successfully navigated the initial hurdle of establishing a working majority. By securing support from a faction of the AIADMK, the TVK government has demonstrated an ability to peel away members from traditional opposition blocs, effectively shifting the balance of power in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
