Sixth AIADMK MLA Resigns in Post-Election Blow to Party
Former Tamil Nadu transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar resigned from the AIADMK on Wednesday, becoming the sixth legislator to quit the party since the 2026 state assembly elections. The resignation further weakens the opposition party, which has faced a series of defections following its poor electoral performance.
Vijayabhaskar, who represents the Karur constituency, met Speaker JCD Prabhakar at the state secretariat in Chennai and submitted his resignation. He previously served as transport minister under the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The AIADMK, led by Edappadi Palaniswami, has been pushed to the third position in the assembly after the 2026 elections, with the DMK forming the government and the TVK emerging as the main opposition. Four AIADMK MLAs had earlier resigned and joined the ruling TVK, while another, C Vijayabaskar, is expected to join Chief Minister Vijay's party later on Wednesday.
With the latest resignation, seven assembly seats in Tamil Nadu are now vacant, including the Trichy East seat vacated by Chief Minister Vijay after his election from multiple constituencies.
The series of resignations underscores the internal strife and electoral setbacks faced by the AIADMK since the 2021 defeat and the subsequent decline in its legislative strength.
