Why did L Murugan resign, and TVK, YSRCP’s INDIA bloc dilemma | Powertrip #168

Welcome to this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter curated exclusively for subscribers of The News Minute and Newslaundry. This week’s edition is by Dhanya Rajendran and Shabbir Ahmed.In this week’s edition, we explain the different theories being floated about the reason behind Tamil Nadu BJP leader L Murugan’s abrupt exit from the Union council of Ministers. While Murugan claims he wants to focus his efforts on state politics, sources tell us that the resignation may have something to do with complaints regarding one of his personal secretaries. We also spoke to a leader close to YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, who indicated to us that the regional party might be rethinking its ‘non-alignment’ policy and considering the benefits of siding with the INDIA bloc. In Tamil Nadu, TVK seems to be in a similar bind. While the party is principally opposed to the SIR, it is wary of supporting the Congress demand for disqualifying all elections conducted in the last two years. Powertrip is a newsletter that senior political reporters of TNM put together every week..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes onlyWhat’s the reason behind L Murugan’s exit from the Union Council of Ministers? The sudden exit of Union Minister of State (MoS) for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan from the Union Council of Ministers, followed by his resignation from the Rajya Sabha, has left political circles in Delhi and Tamil Nadu wondering what prompted the move.According to Murugan, he resigned to return to Tamil Nadu to focus on state politics.BJP sources however say that the party high command had been receiving complaints against Murugan and his aides. In particular, one of Murugan’s personal secretaries, Kaviarasu, and his activities came under the scanner.Party insiders told TNM that searches were carried out at a location in Delhi three months ago and that “incriminating materials” were recovered. Though this is the buzz, no one in the BJP seems to know who conducted the searches.“Murugan was warned by the party high command at that time, but there was no change in his attitude,” a party leader said.Though Kaviarasu was removed as personal secretary, Murugan continued his association with him. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamil Nadu, Kaviarasu was one of the BJP members who welcomed the PM at the airport.A leader who was present at Chennai Airport during the PM’s visit told TNM that, as per protocol, the Chief Minister and the Governor welcomed the Prime Minister, and state BJP president Nainar Nagendran was also allowed to do so. “Murugan is the lone BJP minister of state from Tamil Nadu, though he was present at the airport, he was not allowed to welcome the PM. That’s when we knew things were not so good for him,” the leader added.Sources added that Murugan’s hobnobbing with personalities from the Tamil film industry and his regular meetings with cine actors did not go down well with the party high command.Meanwhile, The Pioneer, a pro-BJP newspaper, reported that a series of messages to a Bollywood star led to Murugan’s exit from the Council of Ministers. A top star reportedly lodged a complaint with a top government functionary about the “out-of-context” messages.Jagan rethinks neutralityYSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy’s statement that he regrets not opposing the way election commissioners are appointed in India has fuelled speculation that he may be moving closer to the INDIA bloc.Just a few weeks ago, we wrote in Powertrip about how the YSRCP still wanted to remain non-aligned. That position seems to have shifted slightly in the weeks since. A person close to Jagan Mohan Reddy told us that perhaps the utility of remaining non-aligned to either front has faded with time.According to the leader, the Election Commission’s attitude of turning a blind eye to events in Andhra Pradesh during the local body poll nominations spurred Jagan to issue the statement. He added that despite the statement, no one from the INDIA bloc had got in touch with them.So why does Jagan believe that the advantage of remaining non-aligned is fading? His thinking, we are told, is that despite what the YSRCP sees as serious concerns over the possibility of manipulation of voting results in Andhra Pradesh, leaders like Rahul Gandhi have not mentioned the state in any of the press meets or protests against the ECI. Jagan has started to believe that as long as he does not declare allegiance to either side, neither side will support him.“We have always believed that national politics is for the national parties and that we will remain confined to the state. But perhaps we have to rethink that,” the leader close to Jagan told us.TVK’s SIR dilemma: Standing with Rahul, but uneasy with Congress’s demandsWith Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leading an increasingly visible campaign against the SIR, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the Modi government, questions are being raised about Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) relatively low-key response. Sources, however, say Vijay’s party is adopting a wait-and-watch approach, as they are keen to see how the movement unfolds before deciding on their next move.The Congress’s confrontational approach is being closely watched across the political spectrum, with parties sensing a possible shift in the national mood. But one aspect of the Congress’s campaign has reportedly unsettled TVK, despite the two parties being alliance partners.A memorandum submitted to the President of India by the Congress, backed by the VCK, CPI, and CPM, has called for the dissolution of Assembly elections that were held after SIR. “Repeal all Assembly elections over the last two years in which conclusive evidence of vote chori has been presented,” read the memorandum.The demand has reportedly caught TVK off guard, as it would also mean the dissolution of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Sources say the demand has caused discomfort within TVK, which is now considering raising the issue with the Congress. While Vijay’s party is opposed to the SIR, the call for dissolving legislatures has complicated its position, making an open show of solidarity with the Congress politically awkward.For now, TVK appears unwilling to be seen as backing away from its opposition to SIR, but equally reluctant to endorse a demand that could put its own political ambitions at risk. Zero HourA political story of public importance'Impinges on freedom': Former Delhi HC Justice S Muralidhar on CJP leaders’ custody.An interview with Muralidhar on the oxymoron that is ‘executive magistrate’ and the ‘robust afterlife’ of colonialism in Indian criminal law.PowermovesTop 5 political storiesFrom JNU to anti-SIR protests: Aishe Ghosh and the politics of organised dissentCan the Police Judge Its Own Case? Why Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka's Imprisonment Defies Basic Legal PrincipleNaidu to Vijay, Jagan to Stalin: Are key South players hedging bets before 2029Cockroach as the New Ravan: How Ramlila Reflects Anxieties of India's EliteHow dreaded dacoit Phoolan Devi became an irresistible legend.Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.