Two former AIADMK ministers, Dr C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabaskar, formally joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on 2 July 2025 at an induction ceremony held at a private hotel in Mahabalipuram, near Chennai. The high-profile switch marks one of the most significant defections from the AIADMK since TVK came to power, and signals a widening organisational push by Chief Minister Vijay ahead of the next Assembly elections.

What the Inductees Said

Speaking at the event, M.R. Vijayabaskar expressed satisfaction with his decision and praised the TVK government's public-centric approach. 'I am very happy to have joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam today. The government formed by Thalapathy Vijay is functioning as a government for the people,' he said.

He also announced that Chief Minister Vijay would visit Karur on 10 July, where a major induction event is being planned. 'We are making grand arrangements, and a major induction event will also be held in Karur district,' he added.

Karur Case and CBI Investigation

On the politically sensitive Karur case, currently under CBI investigation, M.R. Vijayabaskar urged restraint and said the process should be allowed to run its course. 'We do not want to blame anyone. The Karur case is under CBI investigation, and the truth will definitely come out,' he said. He did not elaborate on the nature of the case or his personal connection to it.

Horse-Trading Allegations Rejected

Responding to criticism that the inductions were driven by political inducements, M.R. Vijayabaskar categorically denied any horse-trading. 'There is no horse-trading or anything of that sort. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLAs won without spending even a single paisa. But now, some people are trying to bring down this government through horse-trading,' he alleged.

TVK Thanjavur constituency MLA Vijay Saravanan echoed the denial, claiming the inductees had joined voluntarily and without any promises. 'No promises were made, and there was no horse-trading. They have joined us after giving up the positions that the people had entrusted them with,' he said. He further alleged that it was the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) that had attempted to bargain with leaders, including himself.

Cauvery Delta Political Shift

Saravanan argued that the inductions reflect a broader realignment in the Cauvery Delta region, traditionally seen as a DMK stronghold. 'The mindset of voters in the Delta districts has changed... The narrative that the Delta is a DMK fortress is a false one that has been created. Compared to the vote share the DMK secured in the past, it has declined significantly,' he said.

He also pointed to widespread dissatisfaction within the AIADMK in the Delta districts as a key driver of the defections, and said the additions would bolster TVK's organisational strength before the next state elections. Notably, this is not an isolated switch — Saravanan confirmed that two more MLAs have also joined TVK, suggesting a coordinated realignment rather than individual decisions.

What Comes Next

All eyes are now on Chief Minister Vijay's scheduled visit to Karur on 10 July, where another large-scale induction event is expected to consolidate TVK's foothold in the Delta belt. The pace of defections from AIADMK, if sustained, could reshape the opposition landscape ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.