Tamil Nadu: Congress MLA Vijayadharani Joins BJP, Says 'PM Modi's Leadership Important For Nation'

Vijayadharani was re-elected for third consecutive time in 2021 from Vilavancode constituency in Kanyakumari and continued to serve as the chief Whip of the party in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Vijayadharani is also the great-granddaughter of social reformer Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai.

Tamil Nadu Congress MLA Vijayadharani joined BJP in Delhi on Saturday. The three-time legislator represents the Vilavancode Assembly constituency. Vijayadharani is also the great-granddaughter of social reformer Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai.

According to ANI, Tamil Nadu Congress MLA Vijayadharani joins BJP, in Delhi. She joined the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister of State L Murugan.

Addressing the reporters after joining the party, she said, "PM Modi's leadership is important for the nation."

 

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Congress MLA Vijayadharani joins BJP, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/eTnkJx2oJe

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2024

 

Ahead of joining BJP, Vijayadharani tendered her resignation. In the letter to Congress chief, she said, "I hereby tender my resignation from the Party's primary membership and related posts held by me in the Party for personal reasons. Kindly accept the same."

Addressing speculation about her potential shift to the BJP earlier, the MLA told The Hindu that her presence in Delhi was related to a legal case she was pursuing before the Supreme Court.

Vijayadharani served as the former President of Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress. In 2016, she was appointed as the General Secretary of All India Mahila Congress, Incharge of Karnataka. She was re-elected for the second time in 2016 to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly with a significant margin, causing the ruling AIADMK under the leadership of Selvi Jayalalitha to lose deposit only in her constituency out of 234 seats.

Vijayadharani also served as the Chief Whip of the Congress in the Assembly and Member of the Privilege Committee for 10 years. Furthermore, she was re-elected for the third consecutive time in 2021 from the same constituency in Kanyakumari district and continued to serve as the chief Whip of the party in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.