Chennai: An all-out war today broke out between Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary T T V Dhinakaran and the party’s propaganda secretary, Thanga Tamilselvan, with TTV saying that he is not scared of expelling Tamilselvan from the party.
Addressing mediapersons after holding a meeting with the party’s Theni district functionaries, Dhinakaran said the new propaganda secretary will be announced shortly.
He further said it was not an emergency meeting and was already planned.
“The cadres have complained to me about Thanga Tamilselvan’s activities based on which a decision will be made. Post his interview in the television where he criticised the party, I warned him not to make such statements. There is no need to seek any explanation from him. Tamilselvan is being manipulated by someone backstage and he will soon be removed from the party,” he said.
The meeting with the Theni members took place at Dhinakaran’s residence at Adyar here today in the wake of Thanga Tamilselvanās ārevoltā. Tamilselvan, in a telephone conversation with a TTV aide, accused Dinakaran of practicing inept politics. As the audio clip went viral, it led to a lot of speculation about the future of Tamilselvan in the party.
Sources said Tamilselvan made the call after a party meeting was held in Theni without his knowledge. It is said there was discussion about replacing Thanga Tamilselvan as the party propaganda secretary following reports that he was going to join the AIADMK.
Tamilselvan in a recent interview said AMMK did not fare well in the Lok Sabha and by-elections because people did not like Dhinakaran.
Today, he said the party can expel him if his statement is wrong. It may be noted that Tamilselvan was fielded as AMMK candidate for Theni Lok Sabha constituency where he emerged third after winner O P Raveendranath Kumar and E V K S Elangovan (Congress).
According to reports, AIADMK co-coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is said to be trying to draw Tamilselvan back into the AIADMK.