The political situation in Tamil Nadu has turned dramatic ahead of tomorrow’s floor test for the newly elected TVK Government led by Joseph Vijay. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has split into two groups over extending support to the Government.
The faction led by former Chief Minister and party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has directed party MLAs not to support the TVK Government. Senior leader Agri Krishnamurthy warned that any MLA violating the party whip would face expulsion.
Meanwhile, another faction claiming the support of 30 MLAs has elected S. P. Velumani as the AIADMK Legislature Party leader. Leaders of the faction met the media today after a meeting at former Minister C. V. Shanmugam’s residence. Shanmugam announced that the group would support the TVK Government during the trust vote.
The Government has also secured the backing of the lone MLA of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, S. Kamaraj, who was expelled from his party today.
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has been holding meetings with leaders of supporting parties since yesterday to consolidate support ahead of the floor test. With backing from the breakaway AIADMK faction and allies, the TVK Government is expected to secure the support of around 150 MLAs in the Assembly.
Chennai: Intensifying Political Developments in Tamil Nadu: AMMK Expels Its Lone MLA for Announcing Support to TVK
Chennai: Intensifying Political Developments in Tamil Nadu: AMMK Expels Its Lone MLA for Announcing Support to TVK
In Tamil Nadu, political developments intensified today as the lone MLA of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, S. Kamaraj, was expelled from the party after he announced support to the ruling TVK Government led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay in the State Assembly. Kamaraj was elected from the Mannargudi constituency.
Meanwhile, the AIADMK legislative party headed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami reiterated that it would oppose the TVK Government in the Assembly. Senior AIADMK leader Agri Krishnamurthy warned that any MLA voting against the party line would face expulsion.
Amid the growing political tension, former Minister C. V. Shanmugam, who is leading a breakaway faction of the AIADMK, alleged that Palaniswami had proposed forming a government with the support of the DMK and becoming Chief Minister. Shanmugam said the proposal was against the founding principles of the AIADMK, which, he claimed, had always opposed any alliance with the DMK. He added that the dissident group had therefore rejected Palaniswami’s leadership and elected S. P. Velumani as its leader.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has been holding meetings with leaders of parties supporting his government. Since yesterday, he has met DMK President M. K. Stalin, MDMK leader Vaiko and PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss, among others.
