An AIADMK leader has been removed from the party after filing his nomination to contest the upcoming by-election in the Erode East Assembly constituency, defying the party’s directive to boycott the election.The by-election for the Erode East Assembly constituency is scheduled to take place on February 5. The filing of nominations concluded on January 17, and a total of 55 nominations were accepted after scrutiny.
One of the candidates who filed a nomination was Senthilmurugan, the joint secretary of the AIADMK’s youth wing in Erode urban district. His decision to contest the election came as a shock to party members, as the AIADMK had officially announced its decision to boycott the by-election.
This is not the first time Senthilmurugan has filed a nomination against the party’s stance. In 2023, during the Erode East by-election, he filed his nomination under the faction led by O. Panneerselvam amidst the AIADMK’s internal conflict over the “Two Leaves” symbol. However, following orders from the Panneerselvam faction, he withdrew his nomination.
Later, Senthilmurugan rejoined the AIADMK under Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s leadership and was appointed as the joint secretary of the MGR Youth Wing for the Erode urban district.
Following Senthilmurugan’s recent act of defiance, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced his removal from all party positions, including his primary membership in the party.
“The party has no choice but to take strict action against those who violate its directives,” Palaniswami stated.