Sixth AIADMK MLA Resigns in Tamil Nadu Amidst TVK Switch Speculation
Karur MLA MR Vijayabhaskar has resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, becoming the sixth AIADMK member to do so since the TVK government's formation. His departure further increases assembly vacancies and fuels speculation about a potential move to the ruling party.
Highlights
- •Karur MLA MR Vijayabhaskar has resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- •He is the sixth AIADMK legislator to resign following the formation of the TVK government.
- •Four of the five previously resigned AIADMK MLAs have already joined the ruling TVK.
- •The total number of vacant seats in the 234-member Assembly has risen to seven.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu continues to undergo significant shifts as Karur MLA MR Vijayabhaskar has officially submitted his resignation from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. This move marks the departure of the sixth legislator from the AIADMK following the establishment of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. The resignation of the AIADMK MLA has fueled intense speculation regarding his political future, with many observers anticipating his imminent inclusion into the ruling TVK.
On Monday, the legislator formally handed over his resignation documentation to the Assembly Speaker, JCD Prabhakar, at the state Secretariat. This development further increases the total number of vacancies within the legislative body. Should the Speaker formally accept this resignation, it will add to a growing list of open seats, creating a notable trend of departures from the opposition benches.
Political Realignment and Assembly Vacancies
The trend of AIADMK representatives stepping down from their legislative duties has been a point of focus in recent state politics. Previously, five other party members—K Maragatham Kumaravel (representing Madurantakam), S Jayakumar (Perundurai), P Sathyabama (Dharapuram), Esakki Subbiah (Ambasamudram), and C Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai)—had also vacated their positions. It is noteworthy that four of these individuals have already aligned themselves with the ruling TVK administration, signaling a major consolidation of power in the state.
MR Vijayabhaskar, who previously held the portfolio of transport minister during the cabinet tenure of J Jayalalithaa, has had a challenging recent political path. During the 2021 elections, he faced a defeat in the Karur constituency against the DMK candidate V Senthil Balaji. However, he successfully managed a comeback by winning the same seat in the 2026 state elections.
The recent resignation of this AIADMK MLA brings the total number of vacant Assembly constituencies to seven. This figure includes the seat vacated by the Chief Minister, C Joseph Vijay, in the Tiruchirappalli East constituency. As these vacancies grow in the 234-member House, political analysts are closely monitoring how these shifts will impact the legislative balance and the strength of the opposition party in Tamil Nadu. The continuous attrition of party members remains a critical development in the state's evolving political narrative.
