According to NDTV's sources, Murugan asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to relieve him of his ministerial and Rajya Sabha MP responsibilities so he could dedicate himself full-time to building the party at the grassroots level in Tamil Nadu.
'Greatest honour of my life': Murugan
Announcing his decision in a post on X, Murugan described his tenure under Prime Minister Modi's leadership as a great honour.
“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,” he wrote.
It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve Bharat Mata and Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji. From the son of daily wage labourers to serving in the Union Council of Ministers under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has been the greatest privilege of my life. 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. Nation First. Party Next. Self Last. 🙏🇮🇳 @NitinNabin @blsanthosh
— Dr.L.Murugan (@DrLMurugan) October 13, 2026
Explaining his decision, he added, “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. Nation First. Party Next. Self Last.”
Resignation comes amid cabinet reshuffle speculation
Murugan's resignation comes amid speculation about a possible major reshuffle in the Union government.
The buzz around a potential reshuffle intensified after several Rajya Sabha MPs and ministers were not renominated, including Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Murugan's decision to step down from both his ministerial post and Rajya Sabha membership signals his intention to focus on the BJP's organisational work in Tamil Nadu as the party prepares for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.