Thoppu ND Venkatachalam, a former Tamil Nadu minister and erstwhile DMK Erode Central district secretary, announced on Monday his resignation from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), citing "bitter experiences" during the last Assembly election. He was removed from the district secretary post a few days ago.
Addressing reporters in Perundurai, Venkatachalam — who was previously a minister in the erstwhile AIADMK government — said he would write to the DMK leadership conveying his decision to resign from the party's primary membership. "I thank the party leadership for giving me the post of Central district secretary. I am leaving the DMK as I can no longer continue in the party owing to the mental anguish caused by my bitter experiences," he said.
Venkatachalam clarified that reports claiming he was retiring from politics were incorrect. "In the last Assembly election, some bitter experiences in this constituency created a situation where I cannot continue in the DMK. Hence, I am resigning from all posts including the primary membership of the DMK," he said.
He also spoke about factionalism within political parties, noting that "intra-party feud exists in all parties, there is no second opinion on that. It should be within a limit. It is undeniable that in some parties it is beyond limit."
Asked whether he would contest the upcoming Perundurai by-election, Venkatachalam said he had not taken any decision so far. "I have not taken any decision to contest in the by-election now. If people feel that I must contest and my service is needed, I will consider it," he said.
Venkatachalam ruled out joining another political party for the time being. "I have no intention of joining any party for now. I will decide later. I am not someone without a base to be sidelined, nor someone without strength to be ignored. Saying I am quitting politics is wrong information. I have no intention of joining AIADMK or BJP as of now," he added.
He said he had no complaints against former minister S. Muthusamy, a local DMK strongman, and wanted to move forward without blaming the past. Expressing concern over the lack of development in the Perundurai constituency, he said it was unfortunate that the segment had become backward, citing shortcomings in projects such as the Perundurai-Kodiveri Combined Water Supply Scheme and the Athikadavu-Avinashi project.
Venkatachalam said DMK president K. Stalin had shown immense affection towards him and that he continued to have great respect for Stalin. He said his future activities would focus on supporting the development of the Perundurai constituency.
Venkatachalam, a former AIADMK minister, represented Perundurai in the Assembly after winning the constituency in the 2011 and 2016 elections as an AIADMK candidate. He was denied an AIADMK ticket in the 2021 Assembly election, contested as an Independent, and was subsequently expelled from the party. He joined the DMK in July 2021.
In the 2026 Assembly election, Venkatachalam contested Perundurai as the DMK candidate and polled 60,609 votes. He was defeated by AIADMK candidate S. Jayakumar, who secured 70,302 votes, winning by a margin of 9,693 votes. Jayakumar later resigned from the AIADMK and joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), vacating the Perundurai seat.
The Perundurai seat fell vacant after Jayakumar's resignation. The Madras High Court extended its interim stay on notifying bypolls in five Tamil Nadu constituencies, including Perundurai, until September 8. The Election Commission informed the court that it will not announce the bypolls until pending election petitions concerning the seats are decided. DMK president K. Stalin has filed an election petition challenging the victory of TVK candidate S. Babu from Kolathur, alleging irregularities in the voting process and seeking a recount.