Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Former DMK Minister Thoppu Venkatachalam Quits Party After Election Experience
Thoppu ND Venkatachalam, a former minister, said on Monday that he had quit the DMK.
He said difficult experiences during the last Assembly election made it impossible for him to continue in the party.
He resigned from every party post, including basic membership.
He said this does not mean he is retiring from politics.
He may run in the Perundurai by-election if people believe his services are needed.
He said he does not currently plan to join the AIADMK or BJP.
The Perundurai seat became empty after AIADMK MLA Jayakumar resigned and joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
A court has temporarily stopped officials from announcing the by-election while election cases are pending.
Former Tamil Nadu minister Thoppu ND Venkatachalam resigned from the DMK, including its primary membership.
Venkatachalam attributed his resignation to bitter experiences and excessive factionalism during the last Assembly election.
He denied retiring from politics and said he may consider contesting the Perundurai by-election if people seek his service.
He said he had no immediate plans to join the AIADMK or BJP, though he may decide later.
The Madras High Court has stayed notification of the Perundurai by-election and four other Tamil Nadu bypolls until September 8.
- Who
- Thoppu ND Venkatachalam, former Tamil Nadu minister and former DMK Erode Central District Secretary.
- What
- He resigned from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, including all party posts and primary membership.
- When
- Monday; the Madras High Court stay on notifying the bypolls continues until September 8.
- Where
- Erode and the Perundurai Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Venkatachalam cited bitter experiences and excessive intra-party differences during the last Assembly election.
- Resigned politician
- Thoppu ND Venkatachalam
- Party resigned from
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
- Former party role
- Erode Central District Secretary
- Potential election
- Perundurai Assembly by-election
- Current position on candidacy
- No decision; he may consider contesting if people request his service
- By-election status
- Notification is stayed until September 8
- Other constituencies under stay
- Trichy East, Viralimalai, Ambasamudram and Karur