Supreme Court plea seeks CBI probe, President's rule over TVK trust vote win

A PIL in the Supreme Court has sought President's Rule in Tamil Nadu over alleged horse-trading during the May 13 trust vote. The plea also seeks a court-monitored CBI investigation, saying the floor test was vitiated by corruption.

In Short

• Madurai resident KK Ramesh moved the petition against the ruling dispensation
• He alleged financial inducements and political pressure swayed legislators afterwards
• Left parties, VCK and independents helped TVK cross the majority mark

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court has sought the imposition of President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu over allegations of large-scale horse-trading during the May 13 trust vote won by the government led by C. Joseph Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The plea has also demanded a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged corruption linked to the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The petition was filed by Madurai resident KK Ramesh, who accused the Vijay-led government of securing power through unethical political practices that allegedly undermined democratic principles. According to the plea, TVK failed to secure a clear majority in the Assembly elections and later obtained support through financial inducements and political pressure to win the confidence motion.

“In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, some MLAs from other parties were allegedly involved in horse-trading, and huge sums of money were handed over to certain legislators by TVK. Some MLAs allegedly violated their party whip directions in exchange for monetary and other benefits,” the petition said.

TVK had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections with 108 seats. The party later received unconditional support from Left parties, including CPI and CPI(M), along with VCK and several independent MLAs, helping it cross the majority mark and form the government. Vijay was subsequently sworn in as Chief Minister.

However, the petitioner questioned the manner in which the ruling party secured the backing of legislators. The plea alleged that the trust vote process was “vitiated by corruption” and sought a CBI probe into the alleged buying and selling of MLAs. It also impleaded the Centre, the CBI, and the Tamil Nadu government as parties in the matter.

Seeking urgent intervention, the petitioner urged the Supreme Court to recommend President’s Rule in the state until the completion of the investigation. The plea argued that constitutional morality and democratic institutions had been severely compromised by the alleged manipulation during the floor test.

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