The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking a probe into the trust vote held in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on May 13, where the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government secured a comfortable victory. The bench, comprising Justices Uday Umesh Lalit and S. Ravindra Bhat, found no merit in the petition and declined to order any investigation.
Background of the Trust Vote
On May 13, the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, proved its majority on the floor of the Assembly. The motion of confidence was passed with 145 votes in favor, against 89 votes opposing it. The opposition parties had alleged irregularities in the voting process and demanded a probe.
The plea, filed by a social activist, claimed that the trust vote was conducted in violation of constitutional norms and sought a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. However, the court observed that the petition lacked substantial evidence and dismissed it.
Reaction from Political Circles
While the ruling party welcomed the verdict, calling it a vindication of their stance, the opposition expressed disappointment. TVK spokesperson said, "The Supreme Court has upheld the democratic process in Tamil Nadu. The trust vote was fair and transparent." On the other hand, the opposition leader remarked, "We respect the court's decision but maintain that the trust vote was flawed."
The dismissal brings an end to the legal challenge against the confidence motion, solidifying the position of the Joseph Vijay government.
