Published Jun 16, 2026 | 8:29 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 16, 2026 | 8:30 PM
C Vijayabaskar (Centre) submits his resignation to Speaker JCD Prabhakar. Special Secretary R Shanthi is also seen.
Synopsis: The resignation of former AIADMK minister and MLA C Vijayabaskar has added to the growing challenges within the party, further exposing internal divisions. With senior leaders and cadres continuing to leave, concerns are mounting over AIADMK’s political stability and future direction.
In another setback to the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK, former minister C Vijayabhaskar resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 16 June.
Speaker JCD Prabhakar accepted the resignation of Vijayabhaskar, bringing down the AIADMK’s strength in the 234-member Assembly to 42.
Vijayabhaskar, who represented Viralimalai in the Pudukottai district, was the health minister during the COVID-19 breakout and the initial lockdown. He is the fifth AIADMK MLA to quit the Assembly.
Earlier, AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel, S Jayakumar, P Sathyabama and Esakki Subaya had resigned and joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Reports said Vijayabhaskar, too, might follow suit.
Also Read: TN Speaker Prabhakar drops action against 21 AIADMK MLAs
Political tensions between Vijayabaskar and AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami had been brewing ever since the formation of the TVK-backed political alignment in Tamil Nadu.
The conflict traces back to a group of 25 AIADMK MLAs, including Vijayabaskar, who aligned themselves with senior leaders CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani, extending support to the newly formed government led by C. Joseph Vijay.
In a significant move at the time, the group had approached Speaker Prabhakar, demanding that Vijayabaskar be appointed as party whip instead of the whip nominated by Palaniswami. In response, the Palaniswami faction lodged complaints seeking action against the 25 MLAs for violating party discipline.
Later, after internal reconciliation efforts, complaints against 21 of the MLAs were withdrawn after they returned to the Palaniswami camp. However, cases against four MLAs, who had resigned and left the party, were still under investigation.
Also Read: Jolt for AIADMK as former ministers, over 300 others join TVK
On 13 May, Palaniswami had removed all 25 MLAs from their organisational posts, citing anti-party activities and violation of party discipline.
As part of this action, Vijayabaskar was removed from his position as AIADMK North Pudukottai District Secretary.
Since then, opposition against Vijayabaskar had reportedly intensified within the district unit, and his relationship with the Palaniswami faction continued to deteriorate.
According to reports, over the last month, Vijayabaskar had been actively exploring options to join another political party after feeling increasingly sidelined within AIADMK.
Over the past two days, Vijayabaskar had been posting cryptic messages on social media, indirectly referring to his growing differences with the party leadership.
On Tuesday, he met Speaker Prabhakar at the Assembly complex and formally submitted his resignation as MLA. Soon after, he also announced his decision to step down from all party responsibilities.
Is AIADMK facing a gradual collapse?
With Vijayabaskar now leaving the party, speculation has been rife that he may formally join the TVK.
Local political circles suggested that if he joins TVK, hundreds of AIADMK cadre members from Pudukottai district might follow him, potentially weakening AIADMK’s grassroots strength in the region.
Former ministers Kadambur Raju, K Radhakrishnan, and MC Sampath, along with hundreds of AIADMK functionaries, had recently shifted allegiance to TVK.
Vijayabaskar’s exit has been viewed as another major blow to AIADMK, which has been witnessing a steady stream of defections.
Apart from him, senior leader Shanmugam has also reportedly been at odds with Palaniswami. His repeated public criticism of the party leadership during press interactions has further raised questions about internal unity.
As a result, AIADMK is currently facing a period of instability, leaving party cadres increasingly concerned about the party’s future direction.
