AIADMK's Exodus Continues: Vijayabhaskar Resigns as MLA

CHENNAI — In a significant blow to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), former Transport Minister and Karur constituency MLA, M.R. Vijayabhaskar, resigned his assembly seat on Monday, June 29, 2026. The resignation, submitted in person to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, further deepens the internal crisis facing the state's principal opposition party.

Speaker Prabhakar confirmed that the handwritten resignation met all procedural requirements under Rule 21 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules and was formally accepted. This departure marks the sixth instance of an AIADMK legislator quitting the assembly in the weeks following the 2026 state elections, signaling a period of intense political churn.

Deepening Crisis Within the AIADMK

The resignation of Mr. Vijayabhaskar reduces the AIADMK’s strength in the 234-member assembly to 41 seats. His exit follows a trend of prominent leaders leaving the party, many of whom have subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Political analysts note that the party has struggled to maintain internal cohesion since the election results placed the AIADMK in a weakened position. Prior to this, several senior figures, including former Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar and MLAs such as Maragatham Kumaravel and S. Jayakumar, had resigned their seats, creating a series of vacancies across the state. With these recent developments, seven seats in the legislative assembly are now currently vacant.

Strategic Realignment in Tamil Nadu

Mr. Vijayabhaskar, who narrowly won the Karur seat in the 2026 assembly election by 1,821 votes, had previously functioned within a splinter group of party rebels before this resignation. His move is widely seen by political observers as a precursor to joining the ruling TVK, a shift that would bolster the government's legislative majority and further diminish the AIADMK’s influence in the state house.

The ruling TVK government, which emerged as the single largest party but fell short of an outright majority, has been steadily consolidating its position through these defections. The opposition AIADMK has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the organizational impact of Mr. Vijayabhaskar’s exit.

Why It Matters

For the citizens of Karur and the broader Tamil Nadu electorate, this resignation necessitates an upcoming by-election, further extending a period of political instability. For the AIADMK, the exodus of senior leaders poses an existential threat to its organizational structure and its role as a viable alternative to the ruling party. As more legislators align with the TVK, the balance of power in the assembly continues to shift, directly impacting the passage of state legislation and government policy.

Key Facts at a Glance

• The Departure: M.R. Vijayabhaskar resigned as Karur MLA on June 29, 2026.

• AIADMK Strength: The party’s assembly count has dropped to 41.

• Trend: Sixth AIADMK MLA to resign since the 2026 state assembly elections.

• Speaker Action: Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar accepted the resignation under Rule 21/22 of Assembly Rules.

FAQ

Who is M.R. Vijayabhaskar?

He is a senior AIADMK leader and the former Transport Minister of Tamil Nadu who represented the Karur constituency.

How many AIADMK MLAs have resigned so far?

With Mr. Vijayabhaskar's departure, a total of six AIADMK legislators have resigned their posts since the 2026 elections.

What happens to the Karur assembly seat now?

The resignation creates a vacancy in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which will necessitate a by-election to be conducted by the Election Commission of India.

Source: Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, The Hindu, The News Minute