Chennai, Dec 22 (IANS): Continuing to weed out the family members of her former close aide Sasikala, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J.Jayalalithaa Thursday sacked two more of her relatives from the party.

In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa said M.Pazhanivelu and Kaliaperumal have been removed from the party's primary membership. She urged other party members not to have any contacts with the two.

With this, the total number of close relatives and associates of Sasikala removed from the party goes up to 16.

In a sweeping move, Jayalalithaa Monday sacked from the party long-time confidante Sasikala and 13 others who were known to wield enormous clout in the party.

In a brief statement, the AIADMK chief, who took power in the state in May, asked party members not to have any dealing with those booted out. But party sources said this could be due to widespread charges of interference by Sasikala and her associates in the running of the administration.

It is rumoured that the Sasikala group was keen on bringing the AIADMK under their control, fearing Jayalalithaa could be convicted in the disproportionate assets case now being heard in a Bangalore court.