AIADMK moves to disqualify 24 rebel MLAs after Tamil Nadu CM Vijay wins floor test

The party said the legislators had violated an official whip issued ahead of the trust vote, directing all AIADMK MLAs to oppose the government during the floor test in the Assembly.

Vijay government wins confidence vote

Chief Minister Vijay secured victory in the floor test with 144 votes in support, while 22 MLAs voted against the motion.

Five members abstained, and the 59 MLAs of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, led by M. K. Stalin, walked out before voting.

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had 105 MLAs, though one seat had been vacated by him, one member was serving as Speaker, and another had been barred from voting by court order.

AIADMK seeks action under anti-defection law

Senior AIADMK leaders told reporters in Chennai that the rebel MLAs were liable for disqualification under the anti-defection law for defying the party whip.

“Since around 25 members acted against the whip, they are liable for losing their posts. We have submitted a petition seeking their disqualification,” party leaders said.

The AIADMK also announced disciplinary action against several senior rebels, including C. V. Shanmugam, S. P. Velumani and C. Vijayabaskar, seeking their removal from party posts.

If disqualified, the 24 MLAs could lose their Assembly seats, potentially triggering by-elections.

Rebels challenge the validity of whip

The dissident faction rejected the AIADMK’s claims, arguing that the whip itself was invalid as it had not been approved by newly elected MLAs.

C. V. Shanmugam said party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami could not unilaterally appoint a whip without convening a legislature party meeting.

“The General Secretary cannot appoint a Whip directly. Newly elected MLAs should be called for a meeting. In that meeting, the Legislature Leader, Deputy Legislature Leader and Whip should be elected,” he said.

Palaniswami had named Agri S. S. Krishnamurthy as party whip, whose appointment now awaits recognition from the Speaker.

Speaker’s role key, court battle likely

The newly elected Speaker is yet to decide which faction controls the AIADMK legislature party and whether the whip was validly issued.

The dispute mirrors past rulings in the Maharashtra political crisis, where the Supreme Court of India stressed that the legitimacy of the whip is central to deciding disqualification cases.

With both factions staking claim, the matter is widely expected to end up in court, setting the stage for a prolonged legal showdown in Tamil Nadu politics.