Chennai, Tamil Nadu – In a significant political development, Dr. C. Vijayabaskar, a prominent leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the MLA for Viralimalai constituency, submitted his resignation from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. This marks the fifth legislator to leave the AIADMK since the 2026 Assembly elections, exacerbating the party’s ongoing internal turmoil.
Vijayabaskar personally handed over his resignation letter to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar at the Secretariat. Following a review, the Speaker accepted the resignation, stating it complied with Assembly Rule 22. Consequently, the seat for the Viralimalai Assembly constituency has been declared vacant with immediate effect.
The Chenab Times has learned that Vijayabaskar’s resignation follows a period of escalating internal dissent within the AIADMK. Sources indicate that differences with the party leadership, particularly regarding the direction of the party post-election defeats, may have prompted his decision. Prior to his resignation, Vijayabaskar posted a cryptic message on social media, stating, “Leadership is neither authority nor arrogance…it is dedicated embrace.” He further questioned, “How can a leadership win the hearts of the people when it cannot win the hearts of its cadres who slog for the party? Is a true journey even possible in a place where feelings are not respected?” This statement has been widely interpreted as a critique of the current leadership’s approach.
The AIADMK has been grappling with significant electoral setbacks and internal factionalism since the passing of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. The party recently experienced a significant exodus, with over 300 members, including former ministers and MLAs, officially joining the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Saturday. Among those who switched allegiance were former AIADMK Minister Vellamandi Natarajan, former MLA from Mylapore Natraj, and former Ministers Anandan and Sadhan Prabhakar. The induction ceremony was attended by key TVK leaders, including General Secretary and Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister N. Anand, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sengottaiyan, and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna.
This wave of resignations and defections began earlier in May, with three AIADMK MLAs – Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, and S. Jayakumar – resigning and subsequently joining the TVK. Another MLA, Esakki Subaya, also resigned and joined the TVK, bringing the total number of AIADMK MLAs who have resigned and joined the ruling party to five, including Vijayabaskar. These departures have weakened the AIADMK’s strength in the 234-member Assembly, reducing its numbers and intensifying the political churn within the opposition party.
The AIADMK leadership has accused the ruling TVK of encouraging defections and engaging in “horse-trading” to bolster its numbers in the Assembly. Senior AIADMK leader and party whip Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy has questioned the Speaker’s acceptance of these resignations, citing pending disqualification proceedings against several rebel MLAs under the anti-defection law. Krishnamurthy argued that accepting resignations while such petitions are pending contravenes established rules.
Vijayabaskar, who previously held the health portfolio during the previous AIADMK regime, represented the Viralimalai constituency in Pudukkottai District. His political career has faced scrutiny in the past, with allegations of disproportionate assets and involvement in alleged voter bribery schemes. In 2021, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed a case against him and his wife for allegedly acquiring assets worth Rs 27 crore beyond their known sources of income during his tenure as health minister. Previous investigations by the Income Tax department had also uncovered documents suggesting the AIADMK’s intention to offer Rs 89 crore to bribe voters during the RK Nagar by-election.
The current spate of resignations and the subsequent weakening of the AIADMK are seen as indicative of the party’s struggle to maintain cohesion and relevance following consecutive electoral defeats. The departures not only diminish the party’s legislative strength but also signal a broader shift in political loyalties, particularly towards the emerging TVK party led by Chief Minister Vijay.
The Chenab Times News Desk