DMK removes Thoppu Venkatachalam from party post

CHENNAI: Former Minister Thoppu ND Venkatachalam has been removed from his organisational responsibilities in the DMK, triggering speculation that he may soon quit the party and join another political outfit.

Venkatachalam, who served as a minister during the previous AIADMK government, had subsequently joined the DMK and was appointed in-charge of the party's Erode Central district unit. His removal comes amid reports of continuing differences between him and former DMK minister S Muthusamy, a senior party leader from Erode.

Announcing the organisational changes, DMK general secretary Duraimurugan said Venkatachalam had been relieved of his responsibility as the Erode Central district in-charge.

As part of the restructuring, the DMK has also decided to dissolve the existing Erode Central district arrangement and redistribute the Assembly constituencies under it between the party's neighbouring district units.

According to the announcement, the Perundurai Assembly constituency, which was under the Erode Central district unit, will now be brought under the Erode South district.

The Bhavani Assembly constituency will be attached to the Erode North district.

The respective district secretaries will henceforth oversee party activities in the two constituencies.