C. Vijayabaskar, a former Tamil Nadu Health Minister and AIADMK MLA from Viralimalai, has resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly [1].

The resignation signals deepening instability within the AIADMK, as the party struggles to maintain its legislative strength amid growing internal dissent and rebel activity.

Vijayabaskar submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Assembly in Chennai [1]. He is the fifth AIADMK MLA to quit in recent weeks [1]. The departures follow a period of significant turmoil that peaked during a trust vote on May 13, 2026 [3]. During that session, 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs voted in favor of the TVK government [2].

This wave of exits has significantly eroded the party's presence in the 234-member Assembly. Prior to the most recent departures, the party's strength had already fallen to 43 members, down from 47 [4]. The resignation of Vijayabaskar, a high-profile former minister, further underscores the rift between the party leadership and its elected representatives.

The reports of these resignations surfaced in late May, with Vijayabaskar's exit being noted on May 26 [1, 2]. The pattern of departures suggests a systemic collapse of party discipline following the May trust vote, as members who aligned with the TVK government found themselves at odds with the AIADMK hierarchy [2].

While the party has attempted to manage the fallout, the loss of five lawmakers in a short window creates a vacuum in the opposition's ability to challenge the current administration effectively. The trend of rebel MLAs quitting suggests that the internal unrest is not limited to a small faction, but extends to senior leadership roles within the party [1, 2].

“C. Vijayabaskar is the fifth AIADMK MLA to resign”

The resignation of C. Vijayabaskar reflects a critical breakdown in AIADMK's internal cohesion. By losing five MLAs in quick succession, the party is not only losing numerical strength in the Assembly but also losing experienced leadership. The fact that these resignations follow a trust vote where 25 members supported the TVK government indicates a fundamental shift in loyalty and power dynamics that may permanently weaken the AIADMK's position as a primary opposition force in Tamil Nadu.