Mon Mar 17 08:14:43 UTC 2025: ## AIADMK No-Confidence Motion Against Tamil Nadu Speaker Defeated

**Chennai, March 17, 2025** – A no-confidence motion against Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu, brought forth by the AIADMK, was soundly defeated today. The motion, moved under Assembly Rule 68 by AIADMK Deputy Floor Leader R.B. Udhayakumar, garnered only 63 votes in its favor, while 154 votes opposed it.

The defeat is significant as it included support for the motion from legislators within the O. Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK, and even senior party member K.A. Sengottaiyan, who has publicly clashed with the party leadership. Three AIADMK MLAs, including former Speaker P. Dhanapal, were absent during the vote.

The ruling DMK and its allies – including the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Tamilaga Vazhurimai Katchi, and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi – unanimously rejected the resolution. Notably, BJP MLAs Vanathi and Saraswathi were detained by police earlier in the day, preventing their participation in the vote, along with PMK members. Support for the motion also came from Puratchi Bharatham leader Poovai Jagan Moorthy.

Following a heated debate, including participation from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami insisted on a division vote, which resulted in the motion’s decisive defeat. Palaniswami accused Appavu of bias and failing to maintain the Assembly’s decorum, citing issues such as lack of live telecasting of proceedings and delays in acknowledging the election of the AIADMK’s deputy leader.

The Speaker, Mr. Appavu, temporarily ceded control of the proceedings to Deputy Speaker K. Pitchandi during the debate on the resolution concerning his removal. Following the vote, Mr. Appavu resumed his duties as Speaker.

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