First Sasikala removed OPS supporters, then OPS camp removed Sasikala. Sasikala then appointed TTV who was removed by EPS. Now, TTV removes Vaithilingam.
Though no one is clear about who has the powers to appoint or remove members from the AIADMK, everyone is going ahead publishing statements and expulsion orders.
In the latest fight, senior AIADMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam has paid the price for his statement on Monday, announcing that steps would be taken to expel General Secretary VK Sasikala from the party.
‘Ousted’ Deputy General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Tuesday issued a statement expelling Vaithilingam from the AIADMK for “going against party policies and acting in a way that soiled the party’s dignity”. In the statement, Dhinakaran removed Vaithilingam from all party posts and directed AIADMK members not to have any ties with the expelled leader.
Dhinakaran’s decision to single out Vaithilingam comes as the Rajya Sabha MP had told reporters that steps will be taken to remove AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala from the party by convening a General Council meeting. He had made this announcement after the merger meet at the AIADMK headquarter in Royapettah.
Incidentally, TTV was ousted by the AIADMK (Amma) faction led by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami on August 10, with senior leaders adopting a resolution calling his appointment as Deputy General Secretary as illegal.
The resolution had also pointed out that TTV Dhinakaran, who was removed by late CM Jayalalithaa in 2011, was re-inducted as a member of the AIADMK on February 14, following Sasikala's conviction in the Disproportionate Assets case. He was then appointed as Deputy General Secretary on February 15.
Dhinakran, however, had responded to the “ouster” stating that only his aunt Sasikala, the General Secretary of the party had the powers to remove him as Deputy General Secretary.
The latest statement comes a day after the warring factions of the AIADMK – one led by CM EPS and the other by former CM turned rebel O Panneerselvam merged.