Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami wins trust vote after chaos

But it was DMK working president M K Stalin who grabbed the limelight.

Yesterday, the 62-year-old farmer, who is loyal to jailed politician V.K. Sasikala, received the support of 122 legislators in the 234-member assembly – more than the 117 votes needed. “MLAs are being brought to the secretariat like prisoners”, he said.

Former chief minister Panneerselvam could muster only 11 votes, ending the prolonged stalemate triggered by his rebellion and by conviction of AIADMK chief V K Sasikala after being elected the legislature party leader.

The speaker had to be escorted out by marshalls. DMK man Selvam was seen occupying the Speaker’s chair amid the uproar. A staff in the House fainted during the hullabaloo and was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance. The DMK members rushed to the Well of the House which prompted Dhanpal to adjourn the House till 12 pm.

Among other developments on Friday, School Education Minister P A Sengottaiyan was appointed as Floor Leader of Tamil Nadu Assembly even as retired IPS officer and Mylapore MLA R. Nataraj extended support to the Panneerselvam faction. In the process his shirt was torn.

The DMK leader said he sat in protest inside the assembly to press his demand. “They tore our shirt and kicked us with their boots”.

DMK legislators gheraoed and heckled Speaker Dhanapal, demanding secret ballot.

The vote was taken after two adjournments due to pandemonium and charges of attacks by DMK members. “Justice will surely win. Why the hurry when the governor has given 15 days’ time?” He got the MLAs evicted after they refused to listen to his appeal for peaceful voting.

“We insisted secret voting”.

Tamil Nadu also has had no conference of Collectors and Superintendents of Police since 2013.

In a way, Panneerselvam had overshadowed the DMK in the last 10 days. They voted for our dear Amma, who is like a God.

Besides administrative crises, Palaniswami will have to work at finding solutions for the impending water crisis and drinking water shortage. This is managed after suspending DMK MLAs from the house and evicting them forcibly from the house. Soon after DMK MLAs were forcefully evicted from the House, Congress MLAs staged a walk out. “Resort under maintenance”, read a handbill pasted on the compound wall.