Intra-party rivalry suspected in attack on ex-minister’s house

Police said that Selvaganapathy was away in Chennai, when some unidentified persons indulged in an attack leaving a car parked in the portico and a two-wheeler completely gutted at his house in Ram Nagar.  

On hearing some unusual noise, Selvaganapathy’s son Aravindsamy rushed out to find the vehicles on fire. The former minister too rushed home from Chennai. Police suspect the incident to be a fall out between supporters of Selvaganapathy and another group in DMK during a membership drive on Thursday. The Asthambatty police have registered a case and are investigating. 

Speaking to journalists, Selvaganapathy said that he is actively involved in an intensive membership drive in the DMK. “Someone, who did not like my work, might have done so. I had informed my party leadership. I will never be cowed down by such attacks and will continue my work with more vigour,” he said. 

Selvaganapathy, who served as a local administration minister in the Jayalalithaa cabinet in 1995, had then joined the DMK and became a Rajya Sabha member in 2014. However, he was then convicted by a court in a financial  scam, resulting in his disqualification.