L Murugan, the junior minister in the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, stepped down from his post and quit his Rajya Sabha seat on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, after a request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, he said, "It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve Bharat Mata and Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji…Now, I wish to return to the grassroots, stand with our karyakartas and dedicate myself full‑time to strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections."— his words echo the party’s mantra of nation first.
The former state minister of Tamil Nadu, who rose from a family of daily‑wage labourers, has been a key figure in the BJP’s outreach in the south. He has repeatedly cited grassroots mobilisation as the engine for electoral success, and his decision follows months of behind‑the‑scenes talks about a broader cabinet reshuffle. A 45‑year‑old farmer from Ramanathapuram, one of the karyakartas, told reporters that Murugan’s return would bring much-needed support for local infrastructure projects.
Murugan’s exit comes amid speculation about a cabinet overhaul at the Centre, after several Rajya Sabha MPs, including petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, were not renominated. The move has prompted observers to question whether the BJP is recalibrating its strategy in the state ahead of the 2029 polls. Analysts note that Murugan’s experience could help shore up the party’s base among rural voters.
The resignation will trigger a by‑election for his Tamil Nadu seat, a position that could serve as a bellwether for the BJP’s standing in the south. Party insiders say the vacancy will be filled by a new face from the grassroots network, but no official name has been announced yet. The election will be held in the first half of 2027, giving the party a chance to gauge voter sentiment.
In the days ahead, the BJP is expected to convene a meeting of senior Tamil Nadu leaders to decide on the next steps. Prime Minister Modi has reportedly given his approval for Murugan’s resignation, signalling a shift toward more field‑based leadership. The party’s next move will be closely watched by both allies and rivals as it seeks to cement its foothold in the state.