The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Thursday suspended five members of the party's Madurai city unit for anti-party activities. They were considered loyalists of former union minister M.K. Alagiri.
In a statement, DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan said P.M. Mannan, member of the executive; S. Ezhilmannan, general council member; Mubarak Manthiri; Anbarasu Ilango and M. Balaji were suspended with effect from Thursday and relieved of their responsibilities.
The action follows after “mischievous posters” were pasted in Madurai, tarnishing the image of the party and in violation of the party discipline.
Last week, DMK president M. Karunanidhi condemned the development and warned of strong action against those who indulged in such a practice. Even after his statement, it was brought to the notice of the party headquarters that “mischievous posters,” which sought to portray the party in poor light, had again been pasted.
Hours before the statement was issued, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin met Mr. Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence. An aide of Mr. Stalin termed the meeting as "routine."
