Loyalists of DMDK chief Vijayakanth rallied behind him and defended the decision to join hands with PWF, comprising MDMK, VCK, CPI-M and CPI. (File photo)
A day after revolting, 10 expelled senior DMDK functionaries led by VC Chandrakumar today questioned the action against them even as other legislators and party office-bearers loyal to party founder Vijayakanth reaffirmed their faith in him and hit out at the rebels.
"Sacking us from primary membership of the party will in no way bind us and it is not valid," Mr Chandrakumar, who was the party's propaganda secretary before being expelled, told reporters in Chennai.
Claiming that they could be expelled only by the party's disciplinary committee which also comprises members from apex administrative and high-level committees, he said besides him, five other members of the panels were with the rebel group.
Facing the revolt by the 10 leaders who demanded that he reconsider the decision to align with four-party bloc, People's Welfare Front for the May 16 Assembly elections, Mr Vijayakanth had yesterday expelled them for "violating party discipline".
The rebel group has demanded that the party forge an alliance with DMK.
Mr Chandrakumar, DMDK whip in the outgoing Assembly, said the next course of action would be made known soon.
He maintained that their stance that party's rank and file was against the decision to align PWF was the reality.
He claimed several district secretaries, legislators and other district level functionaries had expressed their unwillingness to contest election as the party had aligned with PWF.
Several of them had also got refund of ticket fee fearing that they would lose in the polls, he said.
Joining the rebels, Salem DMDK district deputy secretary Madesh told reporters there that alliance with PWF should be reconsidered.
Meanwhile, loyalists of Vijayakanth rallied behind him and defended the decision to join hands with PWF, comprising MDMK, VCK, CPI-M and CPI.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, DMDK Headquarters Secretary B Parthasarathy, legislator, questioned the claims of Mr Chandrakumar.
"Captain (as Vijayakanth is known among his supporters) will forgive enemies but not betrayers. Our goal is to make our Captain the Chief Minister. In pursuance of that goal we built this party and (now) fighting election (by aligning with PWF which has accepted Vijayakanth as CM candidate)," he said.
DMDK treasurer AR Elangovan also defended the alliance with PWF and asserted "our party will win the polls and our captain will capture power, our sympathies for Chandrakumar".