Former Minister C. Vijayabaskar Resigns as MLA, Deepening AIADMK’s Internal Crisis

The internal challenges facing the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) intensified on Tuesday after former Tamil Nadu Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar resigned from his position as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). With his exit, Vijayabaskar became the fifth AIADMK legislator to step down from the Assembly, raising fresh questions about the party’s unity and leadership.

Vijayabaskar, who represented the Viralimalai constituency in Pudukkottai district, submitted his resignation to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu. The resignation comes amid growing discontent within the opposition party, with several leaders expressing concerns over the functioning of the organisation under the leadership of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

A prominent face in the previous AIADMK government, Vijayabaskar served as the State’s Health Minister from 2016 to 2021. In recent weeks, he had reportedly voiced dissatisfaction over the party’s internal decision-making process and the treatment of senior leaders and grassroots workers. His departure follows similar moves by four other AIADMK MLAs, indicating a widening rift within the party ranks.

The string of resignations has sparked speculation about possible political realignments ahead of future electoral contests in Tamil Nadu. Political observers believe that continued defections could weaken the AIADMK’s effectiveness as the principal opposition party in the State Assembly.

Despite the developments, AIADMK leaders have maintained that the party remains strong and capable of overcoming internal differences. However, the successive resignations have placed the spotlight firmly on the party’s organisational stability and its ability to retain influential leaders.

The Speaker is expected to examine Vijayabaskar’s resignation in accordance with legislative procedures before officially declaring the Viralimalai Assembly seat vacant. The political implications of the latest resignation are likely to unfold in the coming days as attention turns to whether additional legislators choose to follow suit.