Erode (Tamil Nadu), Aug 1 : Former Minister Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam has been removed from his organisational responsibilities in the DMK, triggering speculation that he may soon quit the party and join another political outfit.

Venkatachalam, who served as a minister during the previous AIADMK government, had subsequently joined the DMK and was appointed in-charge of the partyâ??s Erode Central district unit.

His removal comes amid reports of continuing differences between him and former DMK minister S. Muthusamy, a senior party leader from Erode district.

Announcing the organisational changes, DMK general secretary Duraimurugan said Venkatachalam had been relieved of his responsibility as the Erode Central district in-charge.

As part of the restructuring, the DMK has also decided to dissolve the existing Erode Central district arrangement and redistribute the Assembly constituencies under it between the partyâ??s neighbouring district units.

According to the announcement, the Perundurai Assembly constituency, which was under the Erode Central district unit, will now be brought under the Erode South district. The Bhavani Assembly constituency will be attached to the Erode North district. The respective district secretaries will henceforth oversee party activities in the two constituencies.

The decision effectively leaves Venkatachalam without a significant organisational position in the DMK and has fuelled speculation over his political future.

Party circles have been discussing Venkatachalamâ??s next move for some time, particularly against the backdrop of his reported differences with Muthusamy.

His removal from the district-level post has now intensified speculation that he could formally sever his association with the DMK.

Venkatachalam had joined the DMK after a long stint with the AIADMK, where he had emerged as an influential politician from the Erode region and held a ministerial portfolio when the party was in power.

His induction into the DMK and subsequent appointment as Erode Central district in-charge had been seen as an attempt by the party to utilise his political base and organisational experience in the region.

Reports now suggest that Venkatachalam may shortly resign from the primary membership of the DMK and join another party.

/IANS