Tamil Nadu politics witnessed fresh turmoil on Wednesday after AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami removed senior leaders, including C. Ve. Shanmugam, from party positions following their support to Chief Minister Vijay during the Assembly floor test.

The disciplinary action came hours after Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won the confidence motion in the Tamil Nadu Assembly with support from several opposition MLAs, including a section of AIADMK legislators.

According to reports, the AIADMK leadership acted against leaders accused of defying the party whip during the trust vote. The rebellion was led by senior figures such as Shanmugam and S P Velumani, who had openly questioned Palaniswami’s leadership in recent days.

Speaking after the action, Shanmugam defended the rebel camp and questioned the legality of the whip appointment process within the party. He alleged that newly elected MLAs should first convene to elect the legislature leader and whip instead of direct appointments being made by the party chief.

The internal rift within AIADMK has intensified since the formation of the Vijay-led government in Tamil Nadu. Reports suggested that around 30 AIADMK MLAs extended support to the new administration, creating fears of a major split within the party.

Meanwhile, Vijay thanked legislators who backed his government during the confidence vote and said the new administration would function in the interest of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has removed his astrologer from the post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) following strong political criticism over the controversial appointment.

The move comes just days after Vijay appointed his astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, to a key position in the Chief Minister’s Office. The decision had triggered immediate backlash from political allies and opposition leaders, who questioned the relevance and appropriateness of appointing an astrologer to an official government post.

According to the report, the appointment drew criticism over concerns related to governance practices and the role of non-administrative figures in official decision-making. Several leaders argued that such a move could send the wrong message in a constitutional framework that emphasizes scientific temper in public administration.

Facing mounting pressure, Vijay has now decided to withdraw the appointment, marking a quick reversal in a politically sensitive matter that had already sparked debate across Tamil Nadu’s political circles.

The astrologer, who was previously seen as a close aide and had reportedly predicted Vijay’s electoral success, had been made OSD shortly after the formation of the government. However, the decision quickly became a point of controversy, forcing the administration to reconsider.

The development highlights the growing scrutiny around key appointments made by the new government and the political challenges facing Vijay in his early tenure as Chief Minister.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader C. Joseph Vijay has won a crucial vote of confidence in the state Assembly, securing 144 votes and comfortably crossing the majority mark. The result confirms the stability of his government following a politically charged floor test marked by shifting loyalties and opposition abstentions.

DMK walkout and aiadmk abstention shape vote dynamics

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) walked out of the Assembly ahead of the vote with its 59 MLAs, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, abstained from voting with its 47 MLAs.

This absence from two major opposition blocs significantly influenced the final numbers in the confidence motion.

144 votes secure majority for tvk government

Vijay’s government received support from 144 lawmakers in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, comfortably above the required majority mark. Only 22 members voted against the motion, while five MLAs chose to abstain.

The outcome ensures that the TVK-led government retains power, at least for now, in a politically fragmented Assembly.

25 aiadmk mlas break ranks to support vijay

A major political development emerged during the voting, with 25 AIADMK MLAs defying party leadership and voting in favour of Vijay’s government. This internal rebellion highlights a widening rift within the AIADMK and raises questions about its future cohesion under Palaniswami’s leadership.

The split has added a new dimension to Tamil Nadu politics, where cross-voting played a decisive role in shaping the final result.

Vijay calls victory a mandate for change

After the results were announced, Vijay described the outcome as a turning point, stating that his party symbol had “changed history.” He indicated that the TVK government would function as a minority administration focused on safeguarding the rights of all sections of society.

Political implications of a fractured opposition

While the floor test has secured Vijay’s position as chief minister, the deeper political story lies in the fragmentation of the opposition, particularly within the AIADMK. The emergence of rebel MLAs supporting TVK signals potential long-term realignments in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.