TTV Dhinakaran's close aide on way out

Amid speculations that senior AMMK leader Thangatamilselvan was planning to jump ship, party founder TTV Dhinakaran Tuesday announced his once trusted lieutenant would be sacked.

The development came a day after an audio clip in which Thangatamilselvan, Propaganda Secretary of AMMK, purportedly criticised Dhinakaran in strong words, went viral.

Speculations have been rife that the two were not on good terms following the party's drubbing in the April 18 Lok Sabha polls where it drew a blank and Thangatamilselvan, who himself lost from Theni constituency, was eyeing to quit the party.

Speaking to reporters here Tuesday after consulting senior party colleagues, Dhinakaran said he had earlier reprimanded Thangatamilselvan, a former MLA, after he received "some complaints" against him.

"I had earlier warned him he may be replaced as propaganda secretary...I have no fear or hesitation in removing anyone. In the coming weeks, we will release the list of senior office-bearers after meeting Chinnamma (deposed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala) in Bengaluru (prison)," he said.

Sasikala, aunt of Dhinakaran, is undergoing a four-year jail term in a corruption case.

Asked if Thangatamilsevlan will be removed from just his post or from the primary membership, Dhinakaran said "it includes everything."
He accused Thangatamilsevlvan of acting at the behest of someone else, saying "they are giving instructions to him to attack me and he is doing that."