Chennai:
The DMK has decided to expel former union minister
M K Alagiri, the elder son of party founder M Karunanidhi, for participating in "anti-party activities,'' a euphemism for his plans to back Narendra Modi's BJP and its allies in the Lok Sabha polls next month.
Mr Alagiri had been suspended from the DMK in January for resisting attempts by his father to strike a pre-poll deal with actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth's DMDK, which has pockets of influence in north Tamil Nadu and areas in and around Madurai. Mr Alagiri, 63, represents the constituency in the Lok Sabha, and the DMK's overtures to the DMDK was viewed by him as a threat to his clout.
(BJP warms up to Alagiri, who roots for Narendra Modi as PM)
The DMDK later tied up with the BJP and is contesting 14 seats in Tamil Nadu.
Last week, Mr Karunanidhi had warned DMK workers against hobnobbing with Mr Alagiri.