AIADMK Stronghold Shaken by Vijayabaskar: Why Is the Former Minister Seeking Shelter in TVK?
Pudukkottai, once considered a stronghold of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), is witnessing a major political shake-up as internal dissatisfaction with district secretary and former minister C. Vijayabaskar grows. Long-time party workers and senior leaders say the district’s influence has steadily weakened since Vijayabaskar took charge, and some now believe his exit from the party could mark a turning point for AIADMK in Pudukkottai.
The controversy comes amid a wider political shift after four AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for voting in favor of the TVK government. While several AIADMK leaders met party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to express regret, Vijayabaskar returned to his Viralimalai constituency without meeting him. He then held consultations with supporters from local party units, signaling that he was planning his next political move.
At the same time, several of Vijayabaskar’s close supporters, who held important positions within the Pudukkottai AIADMK organization, have been leaving the party and joining TVK in the presence of Minister Parvez. Reports also suggest that Vijayabaskar himself may join TVK after discussions with the party’s top leadership, though the process has been delayed, allegedly because of the legal cases pending against him.
Senior AIADMK leaders are openly criticizing Vijayabaskar’s leadership. They argue that when Karuppaiya served as district secretary, the party won all six assembly seats in the district, but under Vijayabaskar’s leadership that number fell from six to three and later to just one. They also blame him for the allocation of three constituencies to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the past election alliance. According to them, Vijayabaskar has consistently tried to keep all power centered around himself and ensured that only loyalists received party posts while those who disagreed were pushed out.
AIADMK trade wing deputy secretary Nevalinathan said Vijayabaskar decided to support the TVK government without consulting local voters and that his style of functioning has reduced the party to a poor state in the district. He also referred to an incident in which the AIADMK office was locked after pressure was allegedly exerted on officials, saying even grassroots workers remain angry over it. He noted that former minister Subramanian, who had earlier left due to dissatisfaction with Vijayabaskar, has now joined TVK and become the Kandarvakottai MLA. According to him, Pudukkottai AIADMK can recover only if Vijayabaskar leaves active politics.
Former MLA and senior AIADMK leader Rathinasabapathy also voiced disappointment, saying loyal party workers like him were sidelined because of Vijayabaskar’s actions. He recalled losing the speaker post given by former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and said that remains a deep personal hurt.
Responding to the criticism, Vijayabaskar said he could not take any major decision without consulting the people, key leaders, and workers who supported him. He added that he was meeting them to thank them and would decide based on their views. He also said he discussed the support for TVK with important organizers and union secretaries before taking the step, and claimed AIADMK’s setbacks in Pudukkottai were linked to leadership mistakes, including seat-sharing decisions.
