DMK Functionary Quits Party Citing Inaction On Illegal Mineral Smuggling

A senior functionary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) from Tirunelveli district has resigned from both his party post and primary membership, alleging that the ruling party has failed to act against large-scale illegal mineral smuggling from southern Tamil Nadu to Kerala, triggering sharp political reactions from opposition parties.

According to a news clipping from The Indian Express, the article states that Chandrasekar, a DMK office-bearer, resigned after repeated representations on mineral smuggling in the Western Ghats went unaddressed and that he stepped down despite holding an organisational position, citing environmental damage and hardship to residents. The report also notes that DMK district secretary R Avudaiyappan later claimed Chandrasekar had written the resignation letter as he wanted to join another party.

The DMK functionary, identified as Kadayam Chandrasekar, served as the Deputy Organiser of the DMK’s Tirunelveli West District Environment Wing. His resignation letter, addressed to DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin, has since become public and has intensified the political controversy.

In his letter, as reported in OneIndia Tamil, Chandrasekar wrote, “I served the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam as the Tirunelveli West District Environment Deputy Organiser. In Kadayam Union, which comes under the Alangulam Assembly constituency of Tenkasi district, a large quantity of minerals is being transported to Kerala. Heavy vehicles are causing severe hardship to the public. I have repeatedly informed you about the long-term environmental consequences, but nothing has come of it. As the District Environment Deputy Organiser, I am unable to protect and preserve the environment of our area. Therefore, I am resigning from my post. I am a student of Thanthai Periyar, Arignar Anna, and Dr Kalaignar, who taught me self-respect. In order to protect my self-respect, I am also resigning from my primary membership.”

Chandrasekar’s resignation has provided ammunition to opposition parties, which have accused the DMK government of deliberately turning a blind eye to illegal mining and mineral transportation.

Reacting to the development, Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai posted on X: “A DMK functionary has resigned from his party post and primary membership in protest against the DMK Govt’s wilful inaction in curbing rampant illegal mineral smuggling from Tenkasi district in TN to Kerala. Despite his repeated flagging of this grave issue to TN CM Thiru @mkstalin, no corrective steps have been taken. Illegal mining has become a deep-rooted menace in Tamil Nadu. Yet, it does not even feature at the bottom of the priority list of this corrupt DMK regime, one where both former and serving Ministers have been principal enablers of these unlawful practices. Every single day, thousands of lorries illegally ferry minerals across state borders, inflicting untold hardship on residents and accelerating the irreversible destruction of the region’s natural resources. DMK would now spend all its resources discrediting the person who raised the issue rather than addressing the actual problem.”

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