‘Vote against TVK or face action’: AIADMK draws battle lines ahead of crucial Assembly test

Rashmi Pandey — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:13:39 +0000

Chennai is witnessing intense political activity ahead of Wednesday’s crucial floor test for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, with the AIADMK officially directing all its MLAs to vote against the confidence motion in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Senior AIADMK leader Agri S. S. Krishnamurthy on Tuesday said the party leadership had issued strict instructions to legislators and warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any MLA acting against the party’s stand during the floor test. The statement comes amid growing speculation over divisions within the AIADMK following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The development assumes significance because reports over the past few days suggested that a section of AIADMK MLAs was considering extending support to Vijay’s newly formed government to prevent political instability in the state. Several reports also indicated internal disagreements within the party over its strategy after the election setback.

The floor test has already become more complicated after the Madras High Court restrained TVK MLA R. Srinivasa Sethupathi from participating in Assembly proceedings, including the trust vote, following a legal challenge to his one-vote victory from Tirupattur constituency.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections but fell short of the majority mark in the 234-member House. Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10 after securing outside support from Congress, Left parties and other allies.

Political observers are now closely watching whether the AIADMK can maintain unity during the confidence vote, as reports of factionalism and possible cross-voting continue to fuel uncertainty around the high-stakes Assembly session.

TamilNaduAssembly | Business Upturn

‘Vote against TVK or face action’: AIADMK draws battle lines ahead of crucial Assembly test