DMK cracks whip, expels defiant Alagiri

 Cracking the whip, DMK today expelled a defiant M K Alagiri as his rancour against the party and its leadership continued unabated, threatening to derail its prospects in the Lok Sabha elections.

Party supremo M Karunanidhi announced the expulsion of his elder son Alagiri, who targeted the party even after warning and suspension.

However, this is not the first time Alagiri has faced action as the party had acted against him in 2000 but he was reinstated later only to grow exponentially in Madurai, his base.

"General Secretary (Anbazhagan) and I discussed the matter and took a decision-- he is being expelled from the party," Karunanidhi told reporters from his car with his younger son M K Stalin, who is at loggerheads with Alagiri, seated beside him.

The expulsion comes two months after Alagiri, a former union minister, was suspended from the party for alleged indiscipline in the wake of him publicly opposing any alliance with actor-politician Vijaykant's DMDK and questioning Stalin's approach.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision, 89 year-old Karunanidhi said, "he (Alagiri) had been suspended and explanation was sought but did not reply. He is further criticising DMK and its leaders."

A statement from Anbazhagan later echoed similar words.

Sitting MP from Madurai, Alagiri, denied a ticket in the April 24 Lok Sabha polls, created a flutter by meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and BJP President Rajnath Singh recently besides leaders of rival parties in Tamil Nadu, whom DMK has been fighting in the elections.

Taking advantage of the running feud in the first family of DMK, Vaiko (MDMK), H Raja (BJP) and Bharath Natchiyappan (Congress) met him in the past few days seeking Alagiri's support in the polls, causing acute discomfiture to the party.
Alagiri has also said he would welcome Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister, claiming there was a wave in favour of the BJP leader.

The explusion is also seen as a damage control act while also sending a stern warning to partymen against any further contact with the Madurai strongman.
After Alagiri went on a consultation spree with his supporters not only in Madurai but other places like Tiruvallore, the DMK high command issued a diktat warning partymen against having any links with him.

Today's action comes on the eve of Karunanidhi launching his poll campaign tomorrow.

DMK has rejected Congress overtures for renewing alliance and is fighting the polls in 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu with smaller outfits like VCK, IUML, PT and MMK.