Palaniswami seeking trust vote today
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is all set to seek a vote of confidence on Saturday in the state assembly — that is likely to see some tight-rope walk, with the rival AIADMK faction led by O Panneerselvam joined by opposition parties to vote against the government.
The southern state, that has not seen a day without hectic political developments since the past 10 days, is poised for another day of intense political activity with the scene shifting to the state assembly.
Palaniswami, 63, a senior leader in the ruling AIADMK of the V K Sasikala camp, was sworn in on Thursday. He needs the support of 117 legislators to continue in the post.
The AIADMK party commands the support of 124 legislators, including the Speaker, while the breakaway group led by former Chief Minister Panneerselvam has 11 legislators.
The other opposition includes DMK with 89 members, Congress — eight, Indian Union Muslim League with one, and one seat is vacant. The DMK has said it will vote against the government, while the Congress has said it will wait for the party high command’s directive. However, the Congress has indicated it will vote against the Palaniswami government.
The DMK (minus its President M Karunanidhi who is unwell has 88 legislators to vote), Along with the Congress and Indian Union of Muslim League, the opposition group comes to 97.
The Panneerselvam camp has the support of 11, taking the tally against Palaniswami to 108. If there is some cross-voting to the tune of 10 legisla- tors from Sasikala’s camp then it could be the end for Palaniswami.
The assembly has a total strength of 234 of which one seat is vacant.
On Friday, the Chief Minister’s support base suffered erosion by one legislator.
AIADMK legislator Mylapore constituency representing and former Director-General of Police (DGP) R Nataraj said he would vote against Palaniswami.
Following Nataraj’s about-turn at the last minute, Palaniswami’s support base is down to 124 legislators.
Meanwhile, a week after he was sacked from the AIADMK, former party Presidium Chairman E Madhu- sudanan on Friday in turn “dismissed” General Secretary V K Sasikala, Chief Minister Palaniswami Deputy General Secretary T T V Dinakaran, Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha M Thambidurai, A Navaneethakrishnan, Thangamani, N Dalavai Sundaram, Valarmathi, R B Udhayakumar, C Ve. Shanmugam and S Venkatesh — from the party’s primary membership.
The vote of confidence is being held following a split in the AIADMK party after Panneerselvam revolted against General Secretary VK Sasikala charging her of forcing him to quit.
Sasikala is now in a jail in Bengaluru after being convicted in a corruption case.
On Thursday, Palaniswami was sworn in as Chief Minister and 30 ministers also took oath.