Tamil Nadu Government Faces Horse-Trading Allegations; Supreme Court to Hear Plea

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India alleging that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, came to power through horse-trading, involving alleged bribes totaling Rs 1,000 crore. The petition, submitted by Madurai resident K.K. Ramesh, seeks a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter and demands the immediate imposition of President's Rule in Tamil Nadu until the investigation is completed.

The plea claims that in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the TVK won only 108 seats, falling short of a majority. However, on June 13, 2026, during a trust vote, the TVK government secured 144 votes with the support of certain DMK coalition partners and a faction of the AIADMK, while the DMK alliance staged a walkout. The petitioner alleges that this turnaround was achieved through horse-trading involving Rs 1,000 crore in bribes among political parties.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the writ petition today before a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana. The case has drawn significant political attention, with the TVK government dismissing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. The court's hearing will be closely watched as it could have major implications for the stability of the state government.