AIADMK expels over 50 office-bearers

Chennai: Top AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami expelled over 50 office-bearers from the party on Friday for allegedly bringing disrepute to the organisation.

Those who faced the disciplinary action included 53 leaders from the AIADMK's Kancheepuram Central unit. Five members of the party's trade union wing, Anna Thozhirsanga Peravai (ATP), were also booted out.

They were being removed from all their posts as well as their primary membership, the leaders said.

Panneerselvam, AIADMK coordinator, and Palaniswami, the co-coordinator, announced the expulsion of the 58 people in separate statements, signed by both of them.

The two leaders said the action was being taken since the office-bearers went against party principles and "brought disrepute" to the AIADMK.

They had earlier too expelled a number of functionaries, while stripping the party posts of some of the key aides of Dhinakaran.