L Murugan Quits Union Ministry to Strengthen BJP in Tamil Nadu
President Droupadi Murmu accepts the resignation of Minister L Murugan, who leaves the Union Council to strengthen BJP in Tamil Nadu.
In a significant organizational shift, President Droupadi Murmu has officially accepted the resignation of Dr. L. Murugan from the Union Council of Ministers. The President's Secretariat confirmed on Thursday that the decision was made following the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, invoking clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India, effective immediately.
A Strategic Move Toward 2029
Dr. L. Murugan, who served as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting as well as Parliamentary Affairs, had previously announced his decision to step down from both his ministerial role and his membership in the Rajya Sabha. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Murugan expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the government but outlined a clear vision for his future: a total focus on grassroots organizational work.
The move is seen as a strategic pivot to bolster the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) presence in Tamil Nadu. Murugan stated that his primary goal is to work at the village level to prepare the ground for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Inspired by the Prime Minister's Visit
Speaking to ANI, the BJP leader revealed that his decision was heavily influenced by Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Tamil Nadu. Murugan noted that witnessing the overwhelming love, affection, and enthusiasm the people of the state showed toward the Prime Minister motivated him to dedicate himself fully to the party's growth in the region.
"I have written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing my desire to go to Tamil Nadu. I want to strengthen my party in the state and prepare the ground for the 2029 elections," Murugan stated.
He further praised the Prime Minister for elevating Tamil pride to a global stage, which further fueled his request to be relieved of his ministerial duties to focus on state-level party strengthening.
Context of the Departure
This development follows other recent political movements, including the instance where Hardeep Puri, who manages the Petroleum ministry portfolio, was not nominated for the Upper House. For Murugan, however, the transition is a deliberate choice to move from the corridors of power in New Delhi to the village squares of Tamil Nadu to ensure the party's long-term success in the south.