Live: Work together for TN, LOP Udhayanidhi Stalin's appeal in Assembly speech

Tamil Nadu CM Floor Test Live Updates: Ahead of Vijay’s scheduled floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday, swift political developments are unfolding in the state. Two days after being sworn in as Chief Minister, heading Tamil Nadu’s first-ever coalition government, Vijay is set to prove his majority in the 234-member House. TVK, which emerged as the single largest party, has secured the support of Congress, VCK, Left parties and the Muslim League, taking the alliance strength to 120 seats. In a significant political twist ahead of the trust vote, a section of the AIADMK also extended support to Vijay. As Tamil Nadu witnesses a rapidly evolving political landscape, stay tuned to IndiaToday.in for the latest updates.

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Controversy erupted the first day of the Tamil Nadu assembly as Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition, and the DMK leader once again brought the anti-Sanatan plank back. 

While delivering his speech, Stalin said, "Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated." It immediately drew criticism from several BJP leaders. 

BJP leader and party media spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathy on Tuesday targeted DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatanam made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

In a post on X, Tirupathy claimed that the DMK had been voted out of power because of its stance on Sanatanam and accused the party of continuing divisive politics.

“Realise that it is precisely because you spoke about eradicating Sanatanam that today the people have separated you and the DMK from power and thrown you out,” Tirupathy said.

He further warned that if the DMK continued making such remarks, “the people of Tamil Nadu will completely eradicate the party.”

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday welcomed the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government’s decision to close 717 liquor shops across the state, calling it a step in line with public expectations.

In a post on X, Haasan said families in Tamil Nadu had long wanted liquor outlets near places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands to be removed, and praised Chief Minister Vijay for acting swiftly after assuming office.

“Liquor sales should never be a function of the government; the government must take responsibility for regulating the flow of alcohol,” Haasan said, adding that the closure of 717 shops should only be the beginning and that the number must increase further.

He congratulated the new government for initiating the move and urged it to continue the action in the coming days.
 

DMK leader P Wilson on Tuesday said that the pro-BJP faction in the AIADMK is breaking the party, and is also expressing support for the TVK. 

While delivering his speech in the Tamil Nadu assembly, Edapaddi K Palaniswami, the AIADMK party chief, said that the government and democracy can function well if the opposition gets the opportunity to speak more. 

(With inputs from PTI)

The Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, accused the Governor Raju Arlekar of not respecting Tamil Nadu's state song and pushing it to the second spot as it was played after Vande Mataram. 

"The Opposition parties have expressed concerns after the Tamil Nadu state song was played after Vande Mataram. But at the West Bengal CM oath-taking ceremony, Vande Mataram was not played. But here it was played. You all know who the Governor is there. The government should not allow this to happen again. Our Tamil Nadu state song should never be pushed to the second spot," Stalin said.

The DMK leader and the Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to work together for the betterment of the state. He also said that both he and the Chief Minister studied together in the same college. 

While talking about his own party, Stalin said that the DMK would emerge as a powerful opposition party in the state. 

(Inputs from Anagha)

After announcing support for Vijay’s TVK, AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam said Edappadi Palaniswami remained the party’s leader and clarified that AIADMK was not formally part of the alliance.

AIADMK is currently a constituent of the NDA along with the BJP.

“EPS is our general secretary. We are not part of any alliance except TVK,” Shanmugam said.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore said Vijay’s decision to close Tasmac shops near schools and religious places was in response to a long-standing public demand.

“Tamil Nadu welcomes this action that prioritises the safety of women, students, and the general public,” he said, adding, “change has begun”.

At least 30 MLAs led by senior AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam have extended support to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and the ruling coalition led by TVK.

Shanmugam said the MLAs were unhappy over reports of a DMK-AIADMK alliance, but clarified that he had no intention of splitting the AIADMK. The AIADMK won 47 seats in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly election, making the Shanmugam-led camp the majority faction within the party.

Read our full report here

TVK legislator JCD Prabhakar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday.

The 73-year-old leader represents the Thousand Lights Assembly constituency in Chennai.

Accompanied by TVK founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Prabhakar filed his nomination papers with Assembly Principal Secretary K Srinivasan.