AIADMK Faces Setback as MLA C. Vijaybhaskar Resigns from Tamil Nadu Assembly
In a notable development for Tamil Nadu politics, C. Vijaybhaskar, the former Health Minister and MLA from Viralimlai, has resigned from the Assembly, marking a significant setback for the AIADMK party. His resignation follows a wave of defections, with over 300 members joining the Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). This shift highlights growing discontent within the AIADMK regarding its leadership. The acceptance of Vijaybhaskar's resignation has left the Viralimlai seat vacant, raising questions about the party's future and stability. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is evolving rapidly, and this event could have far-reaching implications.
| Jun 16, 2026, 18:01 IST
C. Vijaybhaskar Resigns from Assembly
In a significant blow to the AIADMK party, former Tamil Nadu Health Minister and MLA from Viralimlai, C. Vijaybhaskar, submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, JCD Prabhakar, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday. Following the necessary procedures outlined in Assembly Rule 21, Vijaybhaskar personally handed over his resignation letter.
The Speaker confirmed that the resignation was reviewed and found to be in accordance with Assembly Rule 22. Consequently, the resignation was formally accepted, resulting in the immediate vacancy of the Viralimlai Assembly seat. Just last week, over 300 AIADMK members officially joined the 'Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam' (TVK) at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai. They expressed dissatisfaction with their ability to serve the public effectively under the current AIADMK leadership.
Among those who joined the new party were former AIADMK ministers Vellamandi Natarajan, Kamalakannan, the state secretary of the Anna Trade Union Federation, former MLA Nataraj from Mylapore, former minister Anandan, former MLA Sadhan Prabhakar from Paramakudi, and DT Kumar, the secretary from Tirupattur city. The event was attended by N. Anand, the General Secretary of TVK and Tamil Nadu's Minister for Rural Development, along with the Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Sengottaiyan, and the Minister for Public Works, Aadhav Arjun.
Senior AIADMK leader and former minister Udumalai Radha Krishnan mentioned that several senior leaders, including NR Shivapathi from Trichy, Kadambur Raju, MC Sampath, Paneerselvam, Govindasamy, and Kolathur Krishnamurthy, have also joined the ruling TVK.