Thalikottai Rajuthevar Baalu is is the present Treasurer of the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) Party. He is known for his political loyalty, tireless service and ideological commitment. With an engineering background and long experience in different fields, he is a successful Political and Social worker. T. R. Baalu was born on 15th June 1941 to father Rajuthevar at Thalikottai in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. He obtained L.C.E Diploma (Engineering) from Central Polytechnic, Chennai and graduated from New College, Madras University, Chennai. T R Baalu’s political career started at a very early age of sixteen (1957) when he joined the DMK party.

He was Inspired by Dr.Kalaignar during the period, when they started living in Royapettah in Chennai and Began to work with him. Since 1968 he has devoted himself full time to work for the Party. That was the period when the current leader of the DMK, MK Stalin, also began to engage in politics full time. The two took part in many struggles together.

He became Secretary of Chennai City District unit of DMK in 1982. During his political career Baalu went to jail over 20 times for participating in demonstrations and agitations for public cause. He came to political limelight when he was jailed for one year under MISA in 1976 for protesting against Emergency clamped in the country by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His strong protest followed by imprisonment in the famous midnight arrest of his Leader Dr. Kaliagnar Karunanidhi on June, 30 2001 would always be remembered not only in Tamil Nadu but in the political circle the world over. T. R. Baalu was first elected to Parliament as a member of Rajya Sabha in 1986. He served his full term till 1992. He took part in many healthy debates at Parliament and began to make his mark, by the Guidance of his parliamentary guru Murasolimaran. He still carries it in his heart. He was elected Lok Sabha in 1996 and became Minister of State in the Ministry Petroleum and Natural Gas. Towards the end of his tenure, he also held additional charge of the then Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (now called the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy). Baalu was reelected to Lok Sabha in 1998, 1999 and 2004 from the same constituency of Chennai South and again in 2009 & 2019 from Sriperumbudur constituency. T.R. Baalu served as Cabinet Minister of Environment and Forests from 1999 to December 2003 and as Minister of Shipping and Road Transport and Highways from 2004 to 2009. T. R. Baalu is the Leader of DMK Parliamentary Party. He is also holding the charge as Chairman of the Department Related Standing Committee of Parliament of the Ministry of Railways. In addition, Baalu is Member of several Parliamentary Committees viz. Ethics Committee, House Committee and Consultative Committee of Ministry of Finance. He is also a Member of International World Affairs Council (IWAC).