CHENNAI: K.C. Palaniswamy, who was one of the most popular faces of the AIADMK in television debates, was on Friday sacked from the ruling party. The dismissal came hours after he said the AIADMK would support the no-confidence motion against the BJP Government at the Centre if it does not constitute Cauvery Management Board.
Palaniswamy's comments, aired in a popular Tamil news channel, led to a flurry of activity and speculation in the media on whether the AIADMK was planning to sever ties with the BJP. In his interview, Palaniswamy, a close aide of deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, said the AIADMK would support the no-trust motion and launched a frontal attack on the BJP.
AIADMK has been supporting the BJP in Parliament on a variety of issues and Palaniswamy's statement was seen in contradiction with the party's policies.
Sources said action was taken against him since he spoke out of the turn.
In a damage control exercise, the AIADMK led by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Panneerselvam sacked him from the primary membership of party late on Friday evening.
“K C Palaniswamy, former MP and spokesperson of the AIADMK, is being removed from the primary membership of the AIADMK for acting against the party and for bringing disrepute to the organisation through his actions. Party cadres are requested not to have any truck with him,” Palaniswami and Panneerselvam said in a joint statement.
However, the former MP challenged his expulsion saying EPS and OPS cannot remove him from the party.” None can remove me from the party.
Can EPS and OPS tell where and when did I go against the AIADMK? What disrepute did I bring to the organisation?” he asked.
Palaniswami also alleged that the party expelled him only due to its fear of the Centre. “I have been expelled only because the party fears the BJP. I will quit public life if CMB is formed,” he said.
