DMK Legislature Party President Udhayanidhi Stalin along with party MLAs arrive for the assembly meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai on May 13, 2026. | Photo credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin led his party of MLAs in boycotting the trust move by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Udhayanidhi pointed out that the majority did not vote for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Out of 4,93,25,000 votes, TVK got only 1.72 million votes and the rest, constituting 65%, rejected the party.
People are already losing faith (in TVK) because it lacks the magic number 118 for the majority. While the Communist parties, VCK and IUML have extended their support to prevent the imposition of President’s rule in the state, they have made it clear that they are still continuing with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.
As an opposition party, he had the responsibility to set out what happened in the last 10 days, laced with criticism. “You have a mandate, you claim to be secular, but you have already co-opted an MLA who fought on an ideologically opposite NDA ticket without the knowledge of her party chief,” he said, adding that this was the “fair version” of what happened. TTV Dhinakaran told the media that (TVK) claims to be for change but actually it stinks.
Then the AIADMK, the major party in the NDA, split. One faction offered support to this government. “The following incident is the latest twist. One new sofa goes to the house of one of the faction leaders. The new CM follows the sofa. There is nothing new about this rule. On the contrary, you are ruling like in the movie Pushpa. You called them corrupt forces during the elections and now you are being questioned on social media, asking what kind of ruling government would ally with corrupt elements?” said Mr Udhayanidhi.
The current drama has surpassed what happened in Koovathur and the new government’s actions are raising suspicions among the people. After borrowing the MLA, the current Chief Minister, realizing that he is unable to fulfill all his false promises, diverted public attention by blaming the previous DMK government.
As the public had already started mourning the election of TVK, DMK MLAs would boycott the trust vote to reflect public sentiment. “When we leave, the numbers in the House will be reduced and you will win the confidence movement. At least work to rebuild the faith that people have in you afterwards,” he said.
Asking the chief minister to continue the social programs introduced by the previous DMK government that would benefit all sections of the society, he said, “Govern the state in reality and not through Instagram reels.
DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant had earlier warned the government against setting a dangerous precedent of horse-trafficking in the state. What was the need for someone to cover their face when going to the Chief Minister’s house? she asked, insisting that the chief minister himself should answer.
| Video Credit: PTI
She also vehemently opposed the appointment of Rickey Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister (Politics). Madam Chief Minister should realize that the youth voted for change, she said and asked what message this appointment would send to the youth. “You have to make this clear,” she told the chief minister flatly. Later she also left with DMK MLA.
MMK leader MH Jawahirullah urged the new government to continue the nine schemes introduced by the previous DMK government in education and take steps to achieve NEET exemption. Along with him, MJK leader M. Thamimun Ansari and KDMK leader K. Nithyanandam spoke against the new government and they all left.
Published – 13 May 2026 20:00 IST
