DCC chief sacked over gold seizure

State Congress president Su Thirunavukkarasar has replaced him with M Deivendran of R S Mangalam, who would oversee Ramnad party district. 

“Goodluck Rajendran is being removed as the president of Ramanathapuram District Congress Committee for bringing disrepute to the party,” the TNCC said in a statement. 

Thirunavukkarasar said the announcement on Rajednran’s sacking was being made “with the approval” of AICC president Sonia Gandhi, her deputy Rahul Gandhi and the party’s Tamil Nadu in-charge, Mukul Wasnik. 

Rajendran and his car driver K Gandhi were arrested two days ago by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence for allegedly smuggling 11.9 kg of gold bars, valued at Rs 3.58 crore, from Sri Lanka. 

“Gandhi admitted that he was carrying the gold to Chennai as instructed by S Rajendran also known as ‘Goodluck’ Rajendran, who has been his employer for nearly 20 years,” DRI had said. The seizure was made on the Pudukottai Highway. 

DRI officers had also recovered “incriminating evidence” from the residence of Rajendran, who was earlier arrested in connection with another case under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, here. 

While Rajendran was arrested in the city, his driver was caught carrying gold bars en route to Tiruchy. 

The TNCC chief also expelled Virudhunagar district party president S Velayutham for functioning in a manner that brought disrepute to the party. He has been replaced with Sreeraja Sokkar. 

TNCC chief Thirunavukkarasar added that this rejig in the party has been effected with the consent of the party high command.