C. Vijayabaskar, the AIADMK MLA for the Viralimalai Assembly constituency, resigned from his position on Tuesday.
The departure marks a growing internal crisis for the AIADMK as high-ranking members continue to break away from the party's current leadership. This trend threatens the party's stability within the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Vijayabaskar submitted his resignation letter to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J. C. D. Prabhakar at the Assembly Secretariat. The move follows a period of tension between the lawmaker and the party's top brass.
In a public statement, Vijayabaskar targeted party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). He said the party leadership had made wrong decisions. He said leadership is not arrogance.
This exit represents the fifth resignation of an AIADMK MLA during the current term [1]. The loss of members reduces the party's voting strength in the legislature and signals a lack of confidence in the decision-making process under Palaniswami.
Vijayabaskar previously served as a minister, making his resignation a significant blow to the party's experienced wing. He did not specify which particular decisions led to his departure but emphasized the distinction between effective leadership and an arrogant approach to governance.
“Leadership is not arrogance.”
The resignation of C. Vijayabaskar highlights a deepening rift within the AIADMK. With five lawmakers now exiting the party, the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami faces a challenge to its authority. This instability may weaken the party's leverage in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and could encourage further defections if the internal grievances regarding the party's strategic direction are not addressed.
