On May 13, 2026, the Supreme Court of India intervened in a significant political matter by staying a Madras High Court order that barred R. Sreenivasa Sethupathi, a member of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, from voting in a confidence motion. The Supreme Court described the High Court's intervention as 'atrocious', allowing Sethupathi to participate in the vote crucial for the stability of the TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu. The High Court's original ruling had left the TVK with a precarious majority of 119 MLAs in a 234-seat Assembly, just above the 118-majority threshold. The Supreme Court's decision came after senior advocates argued that the High Court's order was inappropriate and that the matter should be resolved through an election petition instead. The case highlights the ongoing tensions in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, especially following the narrow victory of Sethupathi over his rival, K.R. Periakaruppan, by a single vote. Periakaruppan had raised concerns about discrepancies in the election process, further complicating the political dynamics as the TVK attempts to solidify its government.