In blow to Tamil Nadu Congress, three-time MLA defects to BJP over denial of floor leader post, LS seat

In a development apparently anticipated by the Tamil Nadu Congress for weeks, sitting party MLA Vijayadharani has joined the BJP, marking a significant defection from the grand old party.

The crossover was formalised at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday in a ceremony attended by several BJP leaders, including Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan and the party’s Tamil Nadu in-charge Arvind Menon.

Vijayadharani, a three-time MLA from Vilavancode in the Kanniyakumari district, made her resignation from the Congress public on Saturday, stating on X: “I am resigning from the position of primary membership and related posts held by me in the Congress party.”

Her switch to the BJP is viewed as a blow to the Congress in the state, with its tally now dipping to 17 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.

Vijayadharani’s political career, deeply rooted in the Congress since her student days, saw her representing Vilavancode since 2011, even as she also worked as the former president of the Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress. She is the great-granddaughter of Tamil poet and social reformer Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, known for his contributions to Tamil literature, spirituality, and social reform, especially his anti-caste views and works focusing on children.

Addressing the media at the BJP headquarters, Vijayadharani spoke about her admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, and voiced concerns over the implementation of Central schemes in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. She also highlighted the BJP government’s efforts in passing the Bill to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies as a commendable step towards empowering women in the political arena.

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