L. Murugan Resigns as Union Minister and Rajya Sabha Member

L. Murugan resigned as Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs and relinquished his Rajya Sabha membership on 13 October 2026. He represented Madhya Pradesh in the Upper House, and his term was scheduled to end in April 2030.

Resignation from Ministerial Office

Murugan conveyed his decision in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he intended to return to Tamil Nadu and work to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. He had served as a Minister of State in the Union Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister.

Under Article 75 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, while other Union ministers are appointed by the President on the Prime Minister’s advice. The Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha under Article 75(3).

Rajya Sabha Membership

The Rajya Sabha is the Council of States and the upper house of Parliament. Its members serve six-year terms, with one-third of the members retiring every second year. State representatives are elected by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

Article 101(3)(b) of the Constitution provides for a parliamentary seat to become vacant when a member’s resignation is accepted by the presiding officer. Murugan had been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh in 2021 and again in 2024.

Political Background

Murugan previously served as president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tamil Nadu unit. He is a Dalit leader from the Arunthathiyar community. His resignation followed those of Ministers of State George Kurian and Ravneet Singh Bittu in recent months; their Rajya Sabha terms had ended.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution.
• The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• The minimum age for membership of the Rajya Sabha is 30 years.
• Article 75(3) of the Constitution provides for the Union Council of Ministers’ collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha.

Murugan held ministerial portfolios in Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs. His Rajya Sabha term was scheduled to conclude in April 2030.