Petitioner*: K.R. Periyakaruppan, former DMK Minister *Respondent*: Seenivasa Sethupathy, TVK MLA-elect from _Tiruppattur, Sivaganga_ *Election result*: TVK won by _1 vote_ – Sethupathy 83,365 vs Periyakaruppan Justices L. Victoria Gowri & N. Senthilkumar *Special Sunday sitting*: *May 10, 2026, ∼10:30 AM*

[10/05, 07:16] sekarreporter1: https://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly/dmks-periyakaruppan-moves-madras-hc-to-prevent-tvk-mla-from-participating-in-vote-of-confidence/article70960156.ece
[10/05, 07:16] Meta AI: *DMK’s Periyakaruppan moves Madras HC to block TVK MLA from trust vote*
*The Hindu | May 9, 2026*

*1. What’s the case?*
*Petitioner*: K.R. Periyakaruppan, former DMK Minister
*Respondent*: Seenivasa Sethupathy, TVK MLA-elect from _Tiruppattur, Sivaganga_

*Election result*: TVK won by _1 vote_ – Sethupathy 83,365 vs Periyakaruppan 83,364 edf5

*Prayer*: Urgent writ to _prevent Sethupathy from participating in the vote of confidence_ scheduled on or before *May 13, 2026*. Also seeks recount and interim injunction against him taking oath. 0e05

*2. Periyakaruppan’s allegations*
1. *Postal ballot mix-up*: Some postal ballots for _Tiruppattur, Sivaganga_ were wrongly sent to _Tirupathur, Tirupathur district_.
2. *Improper recount*: Votes not recounted properly.
3. *Seeks*: Retrieve misplaced postal ballots, include them in final count, and direct EC to produce video of recount verification. edf50e05

*3. Why it matters now – TN political math*
1. *TVK*: 108 seats, single largest party. With Congress 5 = *113*.
2. *Majority*: 118. TVK short by 5-6.
3. *Oath today*: Governor R.V. Arlekar to swear in Vijay as CM on *May 10, 10 AM*, on condition he proves majority by May 13.
4. *Impact*: If HC bars Sethupathy, TVK strength drops to *107/112*, making floor test harder. 5e34

*4. Court hearing*
*Bench*: Justices L. Victoria Gowri & N. Senthilkumar
*Special Sunday sitting*: *May 10, 2026, ∼10:30 AM*
*First issue*: Maintainability of writ before going into merits edf50e05

*5. Context: Razor-thin TN Assembly 2026*
1. *Hung house*: No party/alliance got 118. TVK 108, DMK 59, AIADMK 47
2. *Congress broke from DMK* to support TVK. DMK passed resolution slamming Congress.
3. *Governor’s stand*: Following _Sarkaria + Bommai_, asking Vijay to prove majority on floor. 5e3471bb9dcd

*Bottom Line*: This 1-vote Tiruppattur seat could decide TN govt stability. If Sethupathy is barred, TVK needs 6 more MLAs for majority instead of 5. HC’s Sunday order will be crucial before the May 13 floor test.

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