108, new magic number for EPS govt!

If the floor test, which was put on hold by the High Court till September 20, was held under this scenario, the government headed by Palaniswami will need only 108 votes to prove his majority in the House. 

In the present scenario, he enjoys the support of 114 MLAs. As such the total strength of the Assembly is 234 and the current strength is 233 (RK Nagar seat is vacant following the demise of Jayalalithaa). 

Right now, AIADMK has 135 MLAs (including the Speaker), DMK and its allies number to 98 (DMK - 89, Congress - 8, and Indian Union Muslim League - 1).  With the expulsion of 18 MLAs loyal to TTV Dinakaran, the total strength of the present Assembly has dropped to 215 and AIADMK’s strength has dwindled from 135 to 117.  

As the stance of three MLAs of friendly parties, who won in AIADMK symbol, is not known, Palaniswami enjoys the support of 114 Legislators.   

Taking into account the current strength of 215 after disqualification, Palaniswami needs the support of only 108 MLAs to prove the majority.   Even if the three friendly party MLAs support Dinakaran camp, Palaniswami will sail through the floor test as he still enjoys the support of 114 (including the Speaker, who will vote only in case of a tie).