Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is facing his first major political challenge just days after taking oath, as coalition ally Communist Party of India (Marxist) warned the TVK government against accommodating AIADMK leaders in the state Cabinet. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party may “reconsider support” if AIADMK is brought into the government, exposing growing tensions within the fragile alliance backing Vijay’s administration. The warning comes after rebel AIADMK MLAs supported Vijay during the trust vote, helping the TVK government secure a majority in the hung Tamil Nadu Assembly. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna denied speculation about AIADMK ministers joining the Cabinet and invited VCK and IUML to be part of the government.

Tamil Nadu politics witnessed a dramatic showdown inside the Assembly as Chief Minister Vijay secured a decisive victory in the high-stakes trust vote, reinforcing his government’s majority with a commanding display of numbers. The floor test turned into a major political spectacle after opposition parties staged a walkout, while murmurs of cross voting and rebel support within the AIADMK camp intensified pressure on the EPS faction. The trust vote proceedings saw Vijay emerge politically stronger, with alliance partners including Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML firmly backing the government during the crucial session. Meanwhile, alleged rebel signals from sections of the AIADMK triggered fresh debate over widening cracks inside the opposition camp. WATCH