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The internal rift burst into the open moments later when Speaker JCD Prabhakar allowed senior AIADMK leader SP Velumani to speak in the House.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS).
Tamil Nadu Floor Test: High political drama unfolded in the Tamil Nadu assembly on Wednesday after AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami claimed that attempts were made to lure his party MLAs with cash and ministerial positions during Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s floor test.
Speaking during the debate on the confidence motion moved by the newly sworn-in TVK government, Palaniswami claimed several AIADMK legislators were approached to vote in favour of Vijay. He said that the information had reached the party that some members were being offered ministerial posts and board chairman positions in exchange for supporting the government.
“There have been horse-trading attempts to poach AIADMK MLAs. I have got information that some might get ministerial berths and take part in the ruling government. You said you want to run a pure and transparent government and we hope so. We are not an enemy party; we wish to function as a responsible Opposition,” the AIADMK leader said in the Assembly.
He also dismissed speculations of an internal rift and reiterated that all 47 AIADMK MLAs would oppose the confidence motion. He said that his party had won 47 seats under the “Two Leaves” symbol and asserted that the party had played a major role in making Tamil Nadu one of India’s leading states.
However, the internal rift burst into the open moments later when Speaker JCD Prabhakar allowed senior AIADMK leader SP Velumani to speak in the House – a move strongly objected by the EPS camp.
Arguing that two leaders from the same party could not participate separately in the debate, EPS supporters protested the Speaker’s decision. Prabhakar, however, defended his call, saying it was his prerogative to decide who could speak during the proceedings.
In a direct challenge to the party line announced by Palaniswami, Velumani openly backed the Vijay-led government. “Respecting the wish of the people, the AIADMK supports the Confidence Motion brought by the Chief Minister,” Velumani said.
Vijay Wins Floor Test
Meanwhile, the C Joseph Vijay-led government passed the crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly as 144 MLAs backed the TVK government in the 234-member assembly. 22 MLAs voted against the government, and five remained neutral.
The majority tally for Vijay got a big boost after rebel AIADMK factions voted for him despite general secretary Palaniswami’s warning.
The vote of confidence was held in the House, in lines with Governor RV Arlekar’s directions to hold it on or before May 13.
The ruling TVK got the support of 144 MLAs. The TVK has an overall strength of 107.
The ruling party got the backing of five Congress MLAs. CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML– with two MLAs each, also extended support to the actor-turned-politician’s government. Notably, 25 AIADMK MLAs, led by senior leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam and opposed to party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, also supported the government.
(With inputs from agencies)
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