TN Deputy CM O Panneerselvam’s Brother O Raja Expelled from AIADMK

Raja has been removed from AIADMK “for having acted against the party’s principles, and for bringing disrepute.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami (R) and O Panneerselvam. 

(Photo: PTI)

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s brother O Raja was expelled from the AIADMK and removed from primary membership of the party on Wednesday, 19 December.

Raja has been removed from AIADMK “for having acted against the party’s principles and ideologies, and for bringing disrepute to the party,” reported ANI. All the posts and powers he held in AIADMK have also been taken away.

A statement regarding O Raja’s expulsion, signed by Panneerselvam and Chief Minister E Palaniswami, was posted on AIADMK’s official Twitter account on Wednesday.

In a statement, Panneerselvam and Palaniswami urged AIADMK workers not to maintain any contact O Raja.

Raja was sacked hours after he took over as the district chief of a milk producers' union in Madurai, reported PTI.

In the past, Raja had reportedly served as panchayat body President of Periyakulam in Theni district.

Meanwhile, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said that action against Raja will serve as a warning to anyone who tries to go against the party, which is a “disciplined” outfit.

“When somebody does anti-party activities in a disciplined organisation like the AIADMK, they have to be sacked. There is no place for sibling relationship here,”he said, responding to reporters' queries about Panneerselvam acting against his younger brother.

“It is a welcome thing that action has been taken by (Panneerselvam) despite Raja being his younger brother... this will be a lesson for others too.”

D Jayakumar, AIADMK leader, as quoted by PTI

The chief minister and his deputy "have made it clear" that anyone who goes against the party would face action, he said, adding that it was evident from today's move.

Jayakumar, however, declined to explain what anti-party activities warranted Raja’s expulsion.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)