AIADMK Expels OPS, His Supporters From Party; Defiant Leader Vows Action

The AIADMK General Council meet on Monday expelled rival leader O Panneerselvam from the party's primary membership and his post of treasurer but the defiant leader said his rival Edappady K Palaniswami has no right to show him the door and rather announced the 'expulsion' of the latter from the party.

Amid a big round of applause from the General Council members, at its meeting at a marriage hall here, a special resolution moved by senior leader Natham R Viswanathan to remove Mr Panneerslvam and his supporters was adopted unanimously.

The resolution accused Mr Panneerselvam of siding with the DMK regime and having ties with the ruling party leaders and working to weaken the AIADMK. OPS acted against the party interests, its goals and principles. He took steps including approaching police to stall the June 23 General Council meet, which was jointly convened by him along with Mr Palaniswami. The AIADMK alleged that Mr Panneerselvam pursued selfish interests.

The party expelled Mr Panneerselvam from his post of treasurer and primary membership. It also expelled his supporters, R Vaithilingam, P H Manoj Pandian--both legislators and ex-MLA JCD Prabakar.

Responding, Mr Panneerselvam said he was elected as Coordinator by "1.5 crore" party workers and that neither Mr Palaniswami nor another leader, KP Munusamy, had the right to expel him.

Condemning the two for expelling him "uniltaerally" and against party rules, Mr Panneerselvam said "I expel them from primary membership," of the AIADMK.

Responding to reporters' queries on the next course of action, he said he would approach the courts with the support of party workers and secure justice.

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