MoS L Murugan seeks to quit I&B Ministry to focus on BJP in Tamil Nadu

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan has sought to resign from the Union Cabinet and give up his Rajya Sabha seat, seeking to return to organisational work in Tamil Nadu as the BJP prepares for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Murugan requested to be relieved of his ministerial duties to focus on strengthening the party’s grassroots network across the state.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Murugan expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he had received in public life and sought to be relieved of his ministerial responsibilities to focus on expanding the party’s organisational presence in the state. He also shared the letter on X, reiterating his commitment to working with party workers at the grassroots level.

“With humility and a grateful heart, I therefore request you to relieve me of my responsibilities as Minister of State and permit me to relinquish my membership of the Rajya Sabha, so that I may dedicate myself full-time to strengthening the party in Tamil Nadu,” Murugan wrote.

Reflecting on his political journey, Murugan said he came from a humble background and had never imagined that he would one day serve in the Union government. He recalled that his parents worked as daily-wage labourers and cattle grazers and continued to lead a simple life in Konur village.

Murugan said his association with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) began during his college years, inspired by the nationalist ideals of Mahakavi Bharati, Sardar Patel and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He said his guiding principle through nearly three decades in the ABVP and the BJP had remained: “Nation First, Party Next, Self Last.”

Thanking Modi for his leadership and support, Murugan said the opportunities he received in public service had exceeded his expectations. He cited his tenure as vice-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, his election to the Rajya Sabha twice and his subsequent responsibilities in the Union Council of Ministers.

“Your leadership, and the BJP’s commitment to recognising grassroots karyakartas, gave me opportunities beyond anything I had imagined,” he wrote.

Murugan also praised the Prime Minister’s attention to Tamil Nadu’s development, referring to infrastructure projects such as the Chennai Metro, the expansion of Tuticorin Port and highways, and the redevelopment of 26 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. He also acknowledged support for deep-sea fishing vessels and initiatives involving emerging deep-tech ventures.

Recalling Modi’s recent visit to Tamil Nadu, Murugan said the public response had left a lasting impression on him. He said the welcome extended to the Prime Minister reflected people’s hopes for the state’s future.

“Seeing your dedication to our State and the love of our people for you filled me with pride and gratitude, and renewed my resolve to do more for Tamil Nadu, our party and our nation,” he wrote.

Murugan further said he had personally witnessed the Prime Minister’s concern for Tamil Nadu, including matters concerning the safety of Tamilians stranded in conflict zones and the welfare of Indian fishermen. He said such issues had received urgent attention whenever he approached Modi for assistance.