Vijay, Tamil Nadu Floor Test: TVK Govt Should Be A Real Government, Not A Reels Govt’: Udhayanidhi Stalin

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government during the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, accusing the party of turning governance into "meme content" and questioning its promises of political change.

Speaking in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin said the TVK government should function as a "real government and not a reels government," in an apparent dig at the party's strong social media presence and film-industry style campaigning.

The remarks came amid heated exchanges during the floor test proceedings, with the DMK also announcing a walkout from the Assembly.

According to reports shared by journalist Shabbir Ahmed, the DMK declared that its legislators would stage a walkout during the TVK floor test, escalating tensions inside the House.

Udhayanidhi Stalin further alleged that while TVK had promised "change" to the people of Tamil Nadu, there were growing suspicions that the change could actually be an "exchange."

"TVK government has reduced itself as meme content," he reportedly said during his address.

The DMK leader also compared the functioning style of the new government to the popular film Pushpa: The Rise, continuing his criticism with cinematic references aimed at mocking the administration's political approach.

Targeting the TVK chief personally, Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed the leader lacked confidence in his electoral prospects and therefore chose to contest from two constituencies during the elections.

"He neither visited Trichy East constituency nor thanked the people," Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged while criticising the party leadership's post-election conduct.

Targeting Vijay personally, Udhayanidhi Stalin said the TVK chief had contested from two constituencies because he was unsure of victory. He further alleged that Vijay did not even visit or thank voters in the Trichy East constituency after the elections.

The floor test witnessed intense political exchanges as opposition parties questioned the legitimacy of the TVK government's majority.

Meanwhile, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) also alleged attempts at horse-trading during the confidence vote and warned party MLAs against supporting the government in violation of the party whip.

Despite the criticism, the TVK government crossed the majority mark in the Assembly after receiving support from Congress, CPI(M), IUML and VCK legislators. Expelled AMMK MLA S Kamaraj also backed the government, taking the coalition's strength to 121 seats.

During the proceedings, rebel AIADMK MLA SP Velumani countered EPS' allegations and defended the Vijay government, saying the support reflected the people's mandate and denying claims of MLAs being influenced with money.

The Assembly debate also saw criticism over the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Tamil Nadu government. Leaders from VCK, BJP and DMDK questioned the move and argued that the government should promote scientific thinking instead of astrology.

Despite the uproar and opposition attacks, TVK allies maintained that the Vijay-led government would complete its full five-year term in office.