DMK suspends Alagiri for 'anti-party activities'

Former Union Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M K Alagiri was on Friday suspended from the party headed by his father M Karunanidhi on charges of going against the party's stand and airing divergent views on the issue of stitching an alliance with Vijaykant's Desiya Morpukku Dravida Kazhagam.

Alagiri was temporarily removed from all posts including the primary membership of DMK.

Alagiri's scathing attack on DMDK leader Vijayakant proved to be his undoing with the party taking a strong view of his remarks against the Opposition leader since it intends to align with him.

While there were enough platforms and fora inside the party to air divergent views and grievances, he had not chosen to use them, party general secretary K Anbazhagan said while announcing Alagiri's suspension.

In a statement, he said the Madurai leader had made disparaging remarks about the "high command of parties who wish to align with" DMK, in an apparent reference to Alagiri's criticism of Vijayakant in a Tamil TV channel recently.

His comments, including his opposition to DMK-DMDK alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, had ruffled many feathers in both camps as Karunanidhi himself is favourably disposed towards such an electoral tie-up.

Anbazhagan charged Alagiri with asking party workers not to work, criticising disciplinary action taken against certain DMK members, "directly involving in improper discussions," and thus "creating confusion."

"Considering that his continuing in the party is not proper, and that it could affect party discipline, Alagiri is being temporarily removed from all party posts including primary membership," Anbazhagan said in the statement.

Anticipating apparent discontent among Alagiri's supporters, the general secretary also appealed for support from all in the interest of the party's unity and discipline.