M.R. Vijayabaskar Quits AIADMK with Scathing Allegations Against Edappadi; Both Vijayabaskars to Join TVK on July 2

M.R. Vijayabaskar's Resignation Statement

Former minister and Karur MLA M.R. Vijayabaskar has formally quit the AIADMK, issuing a lengthy resignation statement with sharp allegations against party general secretary Edappadi Palanisami.

In his statement, Vijayabaskar wrote: "I began my political journey on the path of revolutionary leader M.G. Ramachandran and with the great love of revolutionary leader Jayalalithaa. I did not enter this movement for power or self-interest — I lived treating this movement as my very breath."

He recalled standing firmly behind Edappadi Palanisami through every crisis after Jayalalithaa's passing, but detailed the suffering he endured during five years of DMK rule in Karur: "43 false cases were slapped against me, and more than 100 cruel cases were filed against my party comrades and family members. The lives of my party brothers were destroyed. My family's peace was shattered."

He described his battles against former minister Senthil Balaji's alleged misuse of power in Karur, saying he fought through legal means and proudly re-hoisted the AIADMK flag in the constituency.

Betrayal Allegation Against Edappadi

"But after all these sacrifices and the suffering I bore, what I have received today as a reward is only the stab of betrayal driven through my chest," he wrote.

Vijayabaskar levelled his sharpest criticism against Edappadi for allegedly attempting to align with DMK: "Seeing that the leadership is trying to join hands with those same evil forces and sit on the throne of power with their support, my heart weeps tears of blood. How can AIADMK join hands with DMK, which was identified as an evil force by Jayalalithaa herself?"

He clarified that he had opposed the proposed reconciliation decision — not Edappadi's leadership — and that he and other cadre had dedicated their lives to keeping Edappadi as the permanent general secretary. However, he said Edappadi's unilateral decision made without heeding the party's moral conscience has plunged the entire movement into destruction and grief.

"Today, I bid farewell to this movement with inconsolable tears and immense grief. My service to the people of Karur — who are dearer to me than my own life — will continue forever," he concluded.

Both Vijayabaskars to Join TVK on July 2

The successive resignations of AIADMK MLAs to join TVK (Thalaivar Vijay Katchi), the ruling party led by Chief Minister Vijay, have sent shockwaves through AIADMK and its cadre.

After the recent assembly elections in which AIADMK came third behind TVK and DMK, a significant faction led by S.P. Velumani, C.V. Shanmugam, and C. Vijayabaskar formed in opposition to Edappadi. Following reconciliation talks, some members — including Velumani's group — returned to Edappadi's camp. However, C.V. Shanmugam and C. Vijayabaskar continued to avoid meeting him.

In a wave of defections since then, AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumarvelu, Jayakumar, Sathyabama, and Isaki Subbaiah had already resigned and joined TVK. Now both C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabaskar have also resigned their MLA posts.

C. Vijayabaskar had been set to join TVK yesterday, but the event was cancelled following the death of veteran actor-director Bagyaraj. The joining ceremony has now been rescheduled to July 2.

Both leaders are expected to join TVK in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay along with more than 15,000 supporters. A grand event is being organised at a private resort near Mahabalipuram. Former ministers M.S.M. Anandan and Valarmatty (from Trichy) are also reported to be joining TVK at the same event. Both C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabaskar are likely to be given significant responsibilities within TVK.

Karur Constituency Declared Vacant

M.R. Vijayabaskar submitted his handwritten resignation letter to Assembly Speaker J.C.T. Prabhakaran at the Chennai Secretariat. The Speaker announced acceptance of the resignation, stating: "Under Assembly Rule 21, MLA M.R. Vijayabaskar submitted his handwritten resignation to me. As it is properly submitted per Assembly Rule 22, I accept it."

Following acceptance, Karur constituency has been officially declared vacant. Tamil Nadu now has seven vacant constituencies: Trichy East, Maduranthakam, Dharapuram, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimelai, and now Karur — with by-elections expected soon.

With M.R. Vijayabaskar's departure, AIADMK's strength in the state assembly has fallen to 41 seats.

Notably, while Karur has held assembly elections since 1952, a by-election has never been conducted there before. M.R. Vijayabaskar's resignation will trigger what will be the first-ever by-election in Karur constituency.