JCD Prabhakar Becomes TN Speaker, Ayyakannu Meets Vijay as AMMK Faces Turmoil

In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, the newly formed government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay strengthened its position in the Assembly on Tuesday with the unanimous election of key legislative office-bearers, even as the ruling party drew support from an opposition MLA, triggering turmoil within the AMMK.

TVK legislator JCD Prabhakar was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly after his nomination, proposed by Chief Minister Vijay, emerged as the only one filed for the post. Pro-Tem Speaker M V Karuppaiah formally announced the election in the House.

Following Assembly tradition, Leader of the House K A Sengottaiyan and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin escorted Prabhakar to the Speaker’s chair amid congratulations from members across party lines. Karuppaiah then concluded his role as Pro-Tem Speaker.

Soon after assuming office, Speaker Prabhakar conducted the election for the Deputy Speaker’s post. TVK MLA from Thuraiyur, M Ravisankar , was elected unopposed as the lone nominee for the position.

The developments came a day after representatives of the Desiya Thennindhiya Nadhigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam , led by farmer activist P Ayyakannu , met Chief Minister Vijay at the Secretariat and felicitated him on behalf of the farming community following his assumption of office.

Meanwhile, political tensions escalated after AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran expelled his party’s lone MLA S Kamaraj from the organisation for extending support to the Vijay-led government in the Assembly.

Calling the move a “ unilateral act ” and a “ betrayal ” of party workers and alliance partners, Dhinakaran removed Kamaraj from all party posts and primary membership with immediate effect. The action came days after Dhinakaran accused TVK of attempting “horse-trading” to gain political support, an allegation the ruling party had denied.

The latest developments underline the rapid political consolidation underway around the Vijay-led administration as it begins its tenure in power.