AIADMK’s purge of TTV men intensifies

AIADMK co-ordinator O Panneerselvam and joint co-ordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday announced the expulsion of about 100 functionaries from The Nilgiris and Salem districts backing the rebel leader. In Salem, the home district of the Chief Minister, those removed from the party included SC Venkatachalam, taluk level functionaries, besides functionaries of MGR fan club, Amma Peravai and student’s wing.

In The Nilgiris, Namakkal and Coimbatore districts, those expelled included AIADMK district presidium chairman and district deputy secretary KN Thorai, besides MGR youth wing functionaries, town secretaries, Amma Peravai functionaries, town panchayat and union secretaries and functionaries of women and minorities wing.

The rebel leader’s supporters too have hardened their position and were planning a showdown immediately after the High Court judgment on the case related to the disqualification of 18 MLAs. Commenting on the next course of action if the disqualification of 18 MLAs is quashed, a top leader in Dinakaran’s camp ruled out any compromise with EPS and OPS.

He said both the leaders owe their rise to power to sidelined AIADMK leader VK Sasikala and Dinakaran.