In another setback to the AIADMK, the party’s MLA and former Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar resigned his membership to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly today (June 29, 2026). Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has accepted his resignation.

Mr. Vijayabhaskar who was elected from Karur constituency in the 2026 Assembly election is the sixth legislator from the AIADMK to resign his post as MLA within months since the polls.

DMK president M.K. Stalin and deputy general secretary Kanimozhi strongly condemned the denial of permission and the subsequent arrest of DMK student wing cadre who attempted to protest against Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar.

The protests were triggered by a video, which showed the Minister performing actions that looked like preparations for snorting drugs, during an IPL match at the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai.

The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women (TNSCW) has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the ammonia gas leak at a shrimp processing unit in Tiruvallur that has till now claimed the lives of 16 migrant workers and left several others critically injured. 

Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident based on media reports, the Commission observed the victims were predominantly women migrant workers from Odisha and other States, who were not only employed at the factory but were also residing in accommodation provided within the premises.

It directed the Tiruvallur District Collector to submit a detailed report within four weeks.

Former PMK MLA R. Arul, a staunch loyalist of party founder S. Ramadoss indicated he was upset with the party leadership following the recent reunion between Dr. Ramadoss and his estranged son Anbumani.

Mr. Arul told journalists in Salem had the father and son reunited last year itself, many PMK functionaries would not have suffered from debts after spending several crores in the Assembly elections.

Published - June 29, 2026 07:58 pm IST