Former BJP Puducherry president Saminathan quits party

Former BJP Puducherry president V. Saminathan announced his decision to resign from the party on Monday (September 8, 2025).

In a brief statement, the former nominated legislator said he was disassociating from the party he had served for more than 25 years. Though he did not give any reason for announcing the decision now, Mr. Saminathan was of late been showing signs of discontent with party’s Puducherry unit and often issuing statements critical of the ruling AINRC-BJP government in the Union Territory.

When contacted, Mr. Saminathan told The Hindu he would continue to raise issues concerning public and strive to bring a “non-corrupt” government led by “honest” leaders.“

“I will brief the media later on my future plans in politics, but the endeavour will be to bring a non-corrupt, non- Congress-DMK government in Puducherry after 2026 elections. I will work with the people of my constituency for the development of the Union Territory,” he said.

One of the longest serving party presidents of BJP in the Union Territory, Mr. Saminathan was one of the few leaders among the present lot who were ideologically oriented to RSS. He took over the reins of the party in 2015 and held the post till 2023. Earlier, he served as the party general secretary for a long time.

He was appointed as nominated legislator along with party functionaries K.G. Shankar and S. Selvaganapathy in July 2017 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Mr. Saminathan had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections from Lawspet constituency at least three times.