DMK boycotts floor test; urges CM to continue with Dravidian model welfare schemes

Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin led his party MLAs in a boycott of the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).

In his speech at the Assembly, Mr. Udhayanidhi pointed out that the majority did not vote for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Out of the 4,93,25,000 votes, the TVK had polled only 1.72 crore and votes and the rest, constituting 65%, had rejected the party.

Already, the people are losing confidence (in the TVK) as it lacks the magic number of 118 for a majority. Although the Communist parties, VCK and IUML have extended their support to prevent President’s rule from being imposed in the State, they have clearly stated that they still continue in the Secular Progressive Alliance led by the DMK.

As an opposition party, he had the responsibility to lay down what has transpired in the last 10 days, laced with criticism. “You got the mandate, claiming to be secular but already you have co-opted with an MLA who fought on the ideologically opposite NDA ticket without even the knowledge of his party chief,” he said, adding that this was the “decent version” of what had happened. TTV Dhinakaran had told the media that (TVK) claims to be for change, but it actually stinks.

Then, AIADMK, the big party in the NDA, has split now. One faction has offered support to this government. “An incident that happened next is the latest twist. One new sofa goes to one of the factional leaders’ houses. The new CM follows the sofa. There is no newness to this rule. On the contrary, you are ruling like in the Pushpa movie. During elections, you called them corrupt forces and now you are being questioned on social media, asking what kind of ruling government would join with the corrupt elements. Is this your clean government?” Mr. Udhayanidhi said.

The present drama has surpassed what transpired in Koovathur and the new government’s actions raise suspicion among people. After borrowing MLAs, the present Chief Minister, realising that he was not in a position to fulfil all his fake promises, was diverting public attention by blaming the previous DMK government.

As the public has already started grieving for electing the TVK, the DMK MLAs would boycott the trust vote to reflect the public sentiments. “After we walk out, the numbers in the House will reduce, and you will win the confidence motion. At least, work to re-pose the faith people have in you afterwards,” he said.

Asking the Chief Minister to continue the welfare schemes introduced by the previous DMK government benefitting all sections of society, he said, “Rule the state in reality and not through reels in Instagram.”

Earlier, DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant warned the government against setting a dangerous precedent of horse-trading in the State. What was the need for someone to cover his face while going to the Chief Minister’s house? she asked, insisting that the Chief Minister himself should answer.

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PTI

Also, she vehemently opposed the appointment of Rickey Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Political). The Chief Minister should realise that youth voted for change, she said and asked what message the appointment would send to the youth. “You need to clarify,” she told the Chief Minister categorically. Later, she also walked out with the DMK MLAs.

MMK leader M.H. Jawahirullah urged the new government to continue with the nine schemes introduced by the previous DMK government in the education sector and take steps to attain NEET exemption. Along with him, MJK leader M. Thamimun Ansari and KDMK leader K. Nithyanandam spoke against the new government and they all walked out.