Tamil Nadu News

First Confidence Motion in India

October 2 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 7 0

A 1952 Aruppukottai Lok Sabha bypoll in Tamil Nadu led to the first confidence motion in an Indian legislature.
The bypoll was held after U. Muthuramalinga Thevar resigned from the Lok Sabha seat.
The ruling Congress lost the Aruppukottai bypoll to the Forward Bloc (Marxist Group) candidate M. D. Ramasamy.
The Congress defeat led Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) to seek a confidence vote in the Madras Legislative Assembly.
The motion was moved on 30 June 1952 by Finance Minister C. Subramaniam.
The debate continued from 1–3 July, and voting was held on 4 July 1952.
The motion was passed 200–151, giving the Council of Ministers the Assembly’s confidence.
The vote is described as the first confidence motion before an Indian legislature.
The Kisan Lok Party, Muslim League and some Independents supported the government in the vote.