Thoppu Venkatachalam Alias N. D .Venkatachalam

N. D. Venkatachalam is a senior political leader from Tamil Nadu, originally associated with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, where he built his political career in the Erode region. He rose through party ranks from local organisational roles to become a district-level leader before entering electoral politics.

He was elected as MLA from the Perundurai Assembly constituency in 2011 and re-elected in 2016, establishing himself as a strong regional figure. During this period, he served as Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management in the government led by J. Jayalalithaa, handling key administrative responsibilities.

In 2021, after being denied a party ticket, he contested the Assembly election as an independent candidate from Perundurai but lost, which marked a turning point in his political career. He was subsequently expelled from the AIADMK.

He later joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 2021 and was given organisational responsibilities in the Erode region, reflecting his continued relevance in regional politics despite electoral setbacks.

As of March 2026, he is contesting the Tamil Nadu Assembly election from the Perundurai constituency, continuing his active engagement in state politics and public affairs.