‘I was feeling like a fish out of water in the AIADMK, which is being controlled by members of a particular family.  

I am thankful to Jayalalithaa for ending my agony. Actually, I am in a jubilant mood now’, said Mylapore MLA S Ve Shekher today.

AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday expelled Shekher, and former minister Anitha Radhakrishnan from the primary membership of the party.

Talking to News Today from Coutrallam over phone, Shekher said, ‘I am not worried at my dismissal. It is bound to happen for those who are loyal to Jayalalithaa. The party is being remote-controlled by Sasikala and her family’.

Dismissing reports in certain sections of the media that he would join the ruling DMK, Shekher said, ‘I prefer to stay independent in the State Assembly.’ In other words, the Mylapore MLA is not mulling the option of giving up his MLA post.

However, hinting that he would support the policies of the ruling government, he said, ‘there is no bar on an independent MLA to endorse the good measures initiated by the State government’.

‘I should live up to the expectations of my voters in Mylapore. They have kept immense faith in me and elected me to represent them. I am confident that I would work with more determination and fulfill my obligations to them’, he added.

Shekher was sidelined from the party for almost a couple of years. He was neither invited to attend the general council meeting nor called for any MLAs meet.

Shekher kicked up ruckus at the State Assembly during the last session, when he stayed away from his party colleagues, who staged walkout on several occasions. He even alleged that there were threats to his life from AIADMK leaders and security was beefed up to him.

‘I am sure a few in the AIADMK would want to show their loyalty to their leader by attacking me. I am prepared to face any consequences’, he said.