Former Minister Vijayabaskar Distributes Diwali Gifts to 90,000 Families in Viralimalai

Former Tamil Nadu Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar has distributed Diwali gift packages to around 90,000 ration cardholder families across the Viralimalai Assembly constituency in Pudukkottai
district.
Each gift package was distributed in a bag bearing Vijayabaskar’s photograph and contained a one-kilogram tin of Rasgulla, a stainless-steel lunch box and a whistle, the election symbol of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The distribution was completed over the past few days ahead of the Diwali festival.
The development has attracted attention as by-elections in Viralimalai and four other constituencies are expected following pending election-related court cases.
Vijayabaskar has traditionally distributed gifts to families across his constituency during festive occasions. He has reportedly followed a similar practice ahead of previous elections by distributing Pongal gifts.
A four-time MLA, Vijayabaskar represented Viralimalai on behalf of the AIADMK from 2011 onwards and served as Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister for nine years.
After winning the 2026 Assembly election, he resigned from his MLA post following differences with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and subsequently joined the ruling TVK.
He has since been appointed TVK’s West District Secretary and Joint District Organising
Secretary. The latest gift distribution is being viewed in the constituency against the backdrop of expectations of a by-election.