Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, Nov 4: The AIADMK on Monday expelled 17 party members, including spokesperson V Pugazhendhi, for alleged links with ousted leader V K Sasikala, and warned of strict disciplinary action against anyone interacting with her in the future.
The decision was taken at a legislators’ meeting held at the party headquarters, chaired by leaders K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam. The meeting also elected Panneerselvam as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The three-hour-long meeting discussed in detail the issue of leaked phone calls circulating on social media, purportedly involving Sasikala and some AIADMK cadres. In the calls, Sasikala had hinted at her plans to make a political comeback, despite her earlier announcement to “stay away from politics” before the Assembly elections.
“After seeing the AIADMK’s spectacular growth, Sasikala now wants to take over the party. This is evident from her conversations with certain members,” read a resolution moved by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami.
The resolution also dismissed her recent interactions as mere “drama,” asserting that AIADMK cannot be destroyed by the desires of one family. It added, “We successfully continued Jayalalithaa’s rule and proved wrong those who predicted chaos after her demise.”
The meeting reiterated that the party had already issued a warning on May 23 about strict action against members engaging in anti-party activities.
Following the deliberations, the party officially announced the expulsion of 17 workers, citing violation of party discipline.
Meanwhile, former minister S P Velumani was elected as party whip, S Ravi as deputy whip, Kadambur C Raju as treasurer, K P Anbalagan as secretary, and P H Manoj Pandian as deputy secretary.
Post the Assembly elections, the AIADMK, now the main opposition with 66 MLAs, continues to grapple with internal rifts and controversy over alleged leaked audio tapes involving Sasikala.
Sasikala, who had briefly taken charge of the party following J Jayalalithaa’s demise in 2016, was later ousted after the merger of the OPS and EPS factions, which consolidated control under the dual leadership structure.