Decision will reflect wishes of Viralimalai constituency voters, says Vijayabaskar

Former Minister and AIADMK rebel MLA C. Vijayabaskar held a meeting with his supporters and party functionaries from Viralimalai Assembly constituency in Pudukottai on Thursday (May 28, 2026) to “listen to their views and opinions before taking any decision” on his future political course.

Speaking to journalists in Pudukottai after a four-hour long interaction with his party functionaries and those who had worked for him during the election at his residence in Ilupur, Dr. Vijayabaskar said the meeting was “much-needed”.

Dr. Vijayabaskar was one of the AIADMK rebel MLAs who voted in favour of the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in the Assembly recently.

The former Health Minister said he had heard and “absorbed” the views expressed “forcefully” and clearly by his party men and advised them to remain patient.

When asked about the kind of comments put forth by the party members, Dr. Vijayabaskar said he would divulge them at the appropriate time.

To a query on whether those comments pertained to joining the ruling TVK, Mr. Vijayabaskar said he did not wish to reply to speculations.

Claiming that his priority was the people of the Viralimalai constituency, who had elected him for the fourth time in a row, Dr. Vijayabaskar said he had to safeguard their trust and of those who had rigorously worked for him. “My decision shall reflect the wishes of the people of my constituency,” he said.

Asked whether he would continued in the AIADMK after the rival MLAs, barring him and C.Ve. Shanmugam, returned to the group led by Mr. Palaniswami, Dr. Vijayabaskar said his political journey would continue on the path of AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Pointing out that he had been in public life for 25 years since 2001, Dr. Vijayabaskar said his only thought, even now, was to serve the people.