Chennai, Jun 16 (PTI)

Former AIADMK minister C Vijayabaskar, who resigned as MLA on Tuesday, said he has quit the party with "anguish" and a "heavy heart" and blamed party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami for "wrong decisions."

In a two-page letter, the former health minister thanked cadres and well-wishers who supported him.

"AIADMK is facing trials and tribulations due to party chief Palaniswami's wrong decisions," Vijayabaskar, a doctor by profession, alleged.

He is the fifth legislator to quit the party in a month's time. While he is yet to reveal his political plans, four other members - Maragatham Kumaravel, S Jayakumar, P Sathyabama and Esakki Subaya, resigned as MLAs and joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, despite winning the April Assembly election on AIADMK ticket. These legislators were among 21 rebel MLAs who defied party diktat and voted in favour of the TVK government during the floor test in the Assembly on 13 May.

Vijayabaskar was elected from Viralimalai Assembly seat. Earlier in the day, he met Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar and submitted a handwritten letter stating that he was resigning as MLA.

Following his resignation, the AIADMK's strength in the Assembly has declined to 42 in the 234-member House.

Also, the exodus of AIADMK members and cadres from various parts of the state to the ruling TVK has resulted in a crisis in the party.

"It pains me deeply that a movement I loved all my life is now facing hardship and trials due to the wrong decisions of an individual. In this context, I am making this decision with the feeling that it would not be right to continue my journey carrying unresolved ache in my heart," Vijayabaskar said in an emotional statement.

"What I am stepping away from is not a party, but a chapter in my life," he added, recalling his association with the AIADMK for over 35 years, inspired by iconic leaders - Amma (late chief minister J Jayalalithaa) and party founder M G Ramachandran. He has been in the party since his student days and a second-generation politician in his family.

"To me, AIADMK is not just a political organisation but my passion, my identity and part of my life," Vijayabaskar said.

He had served as health minister during the Covid outbreak and initial lockdown.

Earlier in a post on 'X' he said, "Leadership is not authority or arrogance... a profound embrace of dedication."

"A leadership that cannot win the hearts of its dedicated workers, how can it win the hearts of the people. In a place that does not respect emotions, is a true journey possible," he asked.