Tamil Nadu MLA M.R. Vijayabaskar Resigns, Cutting AIADMK Assembly Strength

AIADMK MLA M.R. Vijayabaskar submitted a handwritten resignation to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, who accepted it under Rules 21 and 22 of the Assembly procedure. Representing the Karur constituency, his departure reduces the AIADMK's seat count from 47 to 41, making him the sixth sitting MLA to quit since the 2026 state elections.

The resignation follows a wave of defections to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and internal turmoil within the AIADMK after a faction of legislators supported the TVK government during a confidence vote. Earlier resignations include former Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar and several other MLAs who have either joined TVK or withdrawn from the party. The vacancy in Karur will trigger a by‑poll once the Election Commission is notified.

Analysts note that the cumulative exits weaken the opposition AIADMK ahead of the next legislative session and could alter the balance of power in Tamil Nadu's assembly, though no immediate policy shifts have been announced.