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The MLAs resignation will take the number of former AIADMK MLAs who have switched to TVK to six, further eroding the Opposition party’s strength in the Assembly.
AIADMK Exodus Deepens as Ex-Ministers M.R. Vijayabaskar, C. Vijayabhaskar Set to Join TVK
After resigning from state assembly, former ministers and AIADMK MLAs MR Vijayabaskar and C Vijayabhaskar are set to join the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Thursday. Both the MLAs tendered their resignation on Tuesday.
This will take the number of former AIADMK MLAs who have switched to TVK to six, further eroding the Opposition party’s strength in the Assembly.
Vijayabaskar personally submitted a handwritten resignation letter to Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, who confirmed that it fulfilled all procedural requirements. His resignation comes weeks after former Health Minister C Vijaybhaskar stepped down from the Assembly earlier this month. Both leaders are expected to join the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Thursday.
So far, four AIADMK MLAs who resigned have already joined the TVK.
Earlier defections
MR Vijayabaskar had retained the Karur Assembly constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election by a margin of 1,821 votes. His exit marks another setback for the AIADMK, which has witnessed a series of resignations since the new Assembly was constituted. His exit followed the resignation of C Vijaybhaskar and four other AIADMK legislators who stepped down in May.
With both former ministers now preparing to join the ruling party, the political shift is expected to further strengthen Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s TVK.
AIADMK strength falls to 41
The resignations have significantly reduced the AIADMK’s presence in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. The party’s strength has dropped from 47 MLAs to 41, marking one of its sharpest declines since the 2026 Assembly election.
All six legislators who resigned had earlier defied the party whip during the floor test held in May by voting in favour of the TVK-led government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Their decision to support the government despite the party’s stand had already triggered speculation over their political future.
Vacancies alter Assembly numbers
The resignations have left six Assembly constituencies, previously represented by AIADMK legislators, vacant. These vacancies come in addition to the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly seat, which fell vacant after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay resigned from the constituency.
As a result, the effective strength of the Tamil Nadu Assembly has now come down from 234 members to 227.
The latest round of defections is expected to further reshape the Opposition’s position in the Assembly, with the AIADMK losing experienced leaders while the ruling TVK continues to add former legislators to its ranks.
The formal induction of M.R. Vijayabaskar and C. Vijaybhaskar into the TVK is expected to take place on Thursday, taking the number of former AIADMK MLAs who have joined the ruling party to six.
About the Author
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for yea…Read More
Chennai [Madras], India, India
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