Biggest Twist Yet Awaited for CM Vijay in the Floor Test?

Actor turned politician Vijay has finally been able to claim the coveted Chief Minister’s chair after his party managed to edge past the required tally to prove its majority in the Tamil Nadu assembly following four days of intense political negotiations. He has now got the support of total 120 MLAs in the house, which is just above the magic figure.

Vijay’s resounding victory has not only given rise to a new chapter in Tamil Nadu’s long standing political history, but also pushed two leading parties into a massive crisis like never before. While the DMK has suffered one of its biggest massive defeats, the AIADMK is staring at a potential split among its own members after losing the opposition status.

Ahead of the much anticipated floor test in the first assembly session on May 13, interesting developments are said to be taking place in the AIADMK camp as winning MLAs have now divided into two factions over the growing dissent on Palaniswamy’s inability to handle the party affair which led to the humiliating defeat in the recent elections.

Political circles are abuzz with the news that nearly 30 out of the 47 MLAs belonging to AIADMK are willing to offer support to Vijay’s TVK unconditionally. As these MLAs did not attend the meeting conducted by Palaniswamy on Monday and a letter has submitted to recognise SP Velumani as the legislature leader of the party in the house, the reports gained more substance in the media.

AIADMK, which won only 47 seats out of the 167 it had contested, is facing an identity crisis after slipping to the third place with only 53 seats despite going in alliance with the BJP and other parties. Many leaders have been demanding a change in leadership and threatened to offer outside support to Vijay when TVK fell short of the majority. But, Vijay choose to take the support of small parties along with congress and formed the government.

Now, SP Velumani and C. Vijay Bhaskar, who are opposing Palaniswamy with the backing of these MLAs, might even offer to merge with TVK if Vijay welcomes them. As majority of MLAs are rallying behind the faction led by both these AIADMK leaders, there is also a chance for the party to officially merge with TVK.

As soon as the results were announced, many AIADMK MLAs gave feelers and showed interest deflect into TVK. Some of them spent three days at a resort in Puducherry and later returned to the city.

As the party lost even the Opposition status and also because of huge criticism over Palaniswamy, these MLAs now feel that this is the right time to jump the ship. There won’t be much suprise if they support TVK led adminstration from outside or by merging, offering more stability to the new government.

The suspense will end very soon and the future of AIADMK hangs in balance as of now.