Palaniswami Cracks Whip, Expels Panneerselvam’s Sons From AIADMK

Raveendranath, the party's Lok Sabha member from Theni constituency and Jeyapradeep, both sons of Panneerselvam and a former Minister, Vellamandi N Natarajan were expelled.

(Photo: Namita Chauhan/The Quint)

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) interim general secretary K Palaniswami on Thursday, 14 July, expelled O Panneerselvam's sons, and 16 other supporters of the ousted leader, from the party.

Raveendranath, the party's Lok Sabha member from Theni constituency, and Jeyapradeep, both sons of Panneerselvam (OPS) and a former Minister, Vellamandi N Natarajan were expelled. Natarajan is the Tiruchirappalli-based party strongman who sided with Panneerselvam.

OPS's loyalist in his home district of Theni, SPM Syed Khan, a former MP and also the Theni District Secretary, was ousted from the party.

In a party release, Palaniswami said the move is a disciplinary action and all 18 of them have acted against party interests, principles and brought disrepute to the organisation.

Kovai Selvaraj, a former MLA, and Marudhu Alaguraj, both spokespersons of the AIADMK, were eased out of the party. Alaguraj is also the editor of party organ 'Namadhu Amma' and his name appeared as editor even in the 14 July edition of the daily.

Former MLA from Chennai VNP Venkatraman (Trade wing secretary), SA Asokan, Kanyakumari east party district secretary, Kolathur D Krishnamurthy, an office-bearer of MGR youth wing, were relieved from their posts and the party membership.

Former legislator belonging to neighbouring Puducherry Om Shakthi Sekar and former MP R Gopalakrishnan were among others who were expelled from the party's primary membership.

On 11 July, the AIADMK general council meeting expelled Panneerselvam and 3 of his supporters including Thanjavur district based R Vaithilingam from the party.