Edapadi Palani Swamy won the trust vote in the floor of assembly. Jailed Sasikala’s proxy is the CM of Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government may be controlled from the Parapana Agrahara prisoner No 9264. It is an irony of the state to be ruled by a remote control.

After Tamil Nadu Governor appointed EPS as the chief minister, he asked EPS to prove his majority within 15 days. But, after realising that carrying on the AIADMK MLAs in captivity will be burden, EPS decided to go for the floor test on 18 Feb.

Votes were cast amidst utter chaos with 11 MLAs opposing the Sasikala-backed Palani Swami regime. Palani Swami won the floor test with 122 votes in his favour.

Earlier during the day, leaders of the various parties were denied an entry in to the assembly after the session was temporarily adjourned till 3 pm. Twenty DMK MLAs were evicted by marshals commissioned to control the leaders. DMK leader MK Stalin had protested against the evacuation by sitting on the floor and demanding the MLAs to be allowed inside.

Amidst the ruckus, DMK leaders manhandled the Speaker, P Dhanapal and tore his shirt. Party members clashed with the police officials who were called in to control the leaders. DMK leader, Stalin came out of the house with his shirt torn and said to the media that the Speaker has torn off his own shirt and blamed DMK MLAs for it.

It is after 30 year that Tamil Nadu assembly is witnessing a trust vote. The last time trust vote was done after the death of the MGR in 1987.

By Premji