CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK on Monday expelled four party members, including the brother and personal assistant of former transport minister Senthil Balaji, for anti-party activities. A statement from the party headquarters said V Ashok Kumar of Rameswarampatti and M Karthik of Punjai Thottakurichi in Karur district were expelled for anti-party activities and bringing disrepute to the party through their actions.
While the former was Senthil Balaji’s brother, Karthik was the minister’s PA when he was dropped from the State cabinet.
It is alleged that Ashok and Karthik were involved in a scam in staff appointment, a case that is pending before the Madras High Court. Senthil Balaji was the AIADMK candidate for the Aravakurichi Assembly constituency, where election was cancelled by the EC over poll code violations.
Meanwhile, the party also effected a reshuffle in Karur district, where the secretary of the youth and women wing D Ramesh was demoted as the joint secretary. V V Senthilnathan of Andar Kovil would be the new secretary, the AIADMK announced in a statement. Two others – K Raj Mohan and Thanga Perumal of Tirunelveli district – were also expelled for anti-party activities.