Minister of State L Murugan has resigned from the Narendra Modi government and the Rajya Sabha, expressing his desire to return to Tamil Nadu and dedicate full time to strengthening the BJP's grassroots organisation. His departure comes amid mounting speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a cabinet reshuffle before Diwali, with several ministerial positions expected to become vacant.

Minister of State L Murugan has resigned from the Narendra Modi government and the Rajya Sabha, expressing his desire to return to Tamil Nadu and dedicate full time to strengthening the BJP's grassroots organisation. His departure comes amid mounting speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a cabinet reshuffle before Diwali, with several ministerial positions expected to become vacant.

Minister of State L Murugan has resigned from the Narendra Modi government and the Rajya Sabha, expressing his desire to return to Tamil Nadu and dedicate full time to strengthening the BJP's grassroots organisation. His departure comes amid mounting speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a cabinet reshuffle before Diwali, with several ministerial positions expected to become vacant.

Amid growing speculation over a possible reshuffle of the Union cabinet, Minister of State L. Murugan, on Tuesday, resigned from the Narendra Modi government, expressing his desire to return to Tamil Nadu to strengthen the BJP's grassroots organisation in the state.

Murugan, who held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, has also tendered his resignation from the Rajya Sabha.

His decision comes amid reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could undertake a cabinet reshuffle before Diwali, as at least half a dozen positions in the cabinet are expected to fall vacant.

In a letter to PM Modi, Murugan said serving India and Tamil Nadu under Modi's leadership had been the greatest honour of his life.

"With humility and grateful heart, I therefore request you to relieve me of my responsibility as MoS and permit me to relinquish my membership of the Rajya Sabha, so that I may dedicate full time to strengthening the party in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Murugan said he wanted to return to grassroots politics and work towards expanding the BJP's organisational presence across Tamil Nadu.

"I want to go to every village and every street, meet our people, stand beside our karyakartas and help expand the party's presence in every part of the State," he said.

In a post on X, Murugan reiterated his gratitude to the PM and explained his decision to step away from the Union government.

"It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve Bharat Mata and Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," he said.

"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," he added.

Murugan's resignation comes at a time when speculation about changes in the council of ministers has intensified.

According to media reports, a cabinet reshuffle could take place before Diwali, particularly as at least six positions in the cabinet are likely to become vacant.

There has been no reshuffle for the past two-and-a-half years, although speculation about such an exercise has persisted for several months.

However, top government sources had reportedly dismissed the possibility of a reshuffle earlier.