India, Aug. 31 -- DMK leader Thoppu N D Venkatachalam on Monday announced his decision to quit the party, stating that prevailing circumstances made it impossible for him to continue in it.

Addressing the media here, Venkatachalam said: "Even then, it is under circumstances where I cannot continue to travel within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam that I have come to the decision to quit the movement today."

However, he clarified that his exit was not driven by friction with DMK president M K Stalin. "There is no shortcoming in the love and affection between us. Therefore, the respect and honour I have for him will remain forever," he noted.

Venkatachalam also shared a copy of a Government Order (GO) regarding the Kodiveri combined drinkin...