Tamil Nadu: Edapaddi Palaniswami Wins Trust Vote Amid Mayhem

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami (EPS) has won the trust vote after 122 MLAs voted for him with 11 voting for O Panneerselvam. Majority needed was 68.

Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu Assembly was in the grip of high drama and chaos as DMK MLAs demanded a secret ballot in the floor test called by Palanasami to prove majority of his government. Amid the chaos DMK’s Stalin alleged his shirt was torn off even as he said he’s going to meet the Governor to apprise him of the situation. The DMK MLAS were evicted just before the trust vote was conducted.

The trust vote seems to have brought to a conclusion the political uncertainty in the state, but how popular the new government is in the eyes of the public is anyone’s guess – given the media gauging of public opinion in the weeks preceding the AIADMK factions’ battle for power.

A disappointed O Panneerselvam said justice will win in the end. He said the MLAs must meet their voters and then return to the assembly to exercise their choice again.