Departures of note

E. M. Sudarsana Natchiappan was an Indian politician and senior leader of the Indian National Congress from Tamil Nadu. He began his political career in the Youth Congress under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later served as president of the Sivaganga union from 1986 to 1991, before serving as spokesperson of the state Congress unit.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Sivaganga in 1999, defeating senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, and served in the House until 2004. He also served two terms as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Natchiappan served as Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry between 2013 and 2014 and was known for advocating reservation rights for backward and oppressed communities. He remained loyal to the Congress when G K Moopanar launched the Tamil Maanila Congress, and later served as Leader of the Opposition in the state legislative council.