Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Ex-Minister Venkatachalam Quits DMK, Citing Circumstances and Local Water Concerns
Thoppu N. D. Venkatachalam has decided to leave the DMK.
He said current circumstances made it difficult for him to stay in the party.
He also said he still respects and cares for DMK president M. K. Stalin.
Venkatachalam discussed a drinking water project in the Erode area.
He said six villages in Chennimalai union were left out of the project.
These villages have been affected by pollution from industrial and dyeing units.
He asked the District Collector to arrange water supply for them.
He said he will keep working to improve the Perundurai constituency.
DMK leader Thoppu N. D. Venkatachalam announced his resignation from the party in Erode on Monday.
He said prevailing circumstances made it impossible for him to continue in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Venkatachalam said his decision was not caused by any personal friction with DMK president M. K. Stalin.
He raised concerns that six Chennimalai union panchayats were excluded from the Kodiveri combined drinking water project.
He said he would continue working for the welfare and development of the Perundurai constituency.
- Who
- Thoppu N. D. Venkatachalam, a DMK leader and former AIADMK minister.
- What
- He announced that he was quitting the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and raised concerns about omitted villages in a drinking water project.
- When
- Monday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Erode, with concerns involving Perundurai, Uthukuli and Chennimalai areas.
- Why
- He said prevailing circumstances made it impossible for him to continue in the DMK; he also sought water supply for six excluded village panchayats.
- Resigning leader
- Thoppu N. D. Venkatachalam
- Party leaving
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
- Location of announcement
- Erode
- Project discussed
- Kodiveri combined drinking water project
- Excluded areas
- Six village panchayats in Chennimalai union
- Requested action
- The District Collector should provide water to the omitted panchayats
- Previous ministerial portfolios
- Revenue and Disaster Management and Environment during 2012 and 2013 in the AIADMK government