P. Venugopal, a former Member of Parliament representing Tiruvallur constituency in Tamil Nadu, announced his resignation from the AIADMK on May 24, 2026. In a press release dated May 18, he expressed concerns over the party's declining fortunes, attributing the setbacks to various 'political and social factors.' A significant point he raised was the diminishing support from the Scheduled Caste community, which he believes has contributed to the party's electoral defeats since the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Venugopal emphasized the necessity for the AIADMK to adopt a more inclusive political strategy to regain its strength. He criticized the party’s current leadership, particularly Edappadi K. Palaniswami, for making questionable decisions regarding candidate selections, specifically referencing the allocation of Assembly poll tickets to Rajya Sabha members without adequate consideration of the implications. His resignation is part of a broader trend, as he noted that other prominent party figures, including former Minister S. Semmalai and former Speaker P. Dhanapal, have also left the party recently. Venugopal's departure highlights ongoing challenges within the AIADMK as it seeks to redefine its political identity in a changing landscape.