In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, former state minister Dr. C. Vijayabaskar has resigned from the primary membership of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and also stepped down as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The announcement was made through a series of posts on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on June 16, 2026.
Resignation and Social Media Posts
Vijayabaskar took to his official X account to share his decision, posting a message that included hashtags such as #Gratitude, #JourneyContinues, #PeopleFirst, and #TheJourneyContinues. In another post, he wrote a pointed critique of leadership, stating: "Leadership is not power or arrogance... it is 'dedicated embrace.' A leadership that cannot win the hearts of hardworking workers, how can it win the hearts of the people? In a place where feelings are not respected, is a real journey possible? #JustAsking." These remarks have been interpreted as a veiled attack on the AIADMK leadership.
Political Speculation
Although Vijayabaskar has not yet announced his future political plans, there is intense speculation that he has received offers from both the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor Vijay and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which is currently in power in the state. Political analysts suggest that his resignation could be a precursor to joining one of these parties, potentially altering the political landscape in Tamil Nadu ahead of upcoming elections.
Background
C. Vijayabaskar was a prominent figure in the AIADMK and served as a minister in previous state governments. His exit marks another setback for the AIADMK, which has been grappling with internal dissent and a series of defections in recent years. The party has yet to officially respond to his resignation.
As of now, the Election Commission of India is expected to initiate the process for a by-election to fill the vacant MLA seat from Vijayabaskar's constituency. The development has sparked widespread debate across political circles in Tamil Nadu.
