Suspension of Madurai MP M. K. Alagiri from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam did not deter scores of party functionaries and cadre of Virudhunagar district from giving him a rousing welcome at Kariyapatti on Tuesday.
The former Union Minister came to Kariyapatti to visit the family of party district deputy secretary, S.M. Bose. Mr. Alagiri said that he could not attend a marriage function in Mr. Bose’s family held recently and therefore was visiting the family. When asked about the renewed vigour shown by the party cadre in welcoming him, Mr. Alagiri said that they had come to console him for having been suspended from the party.
Several digital hoardings hailing Mr. Alagiri on his birthday (January 30) were put up in front of the Kariyapatti bus stand. After receiving the suspended party south zone organising secretary near the bus stand, the cadre took him in a procession for one km with drum beats and bursting crackers all en route the residence of Mr. Bose.
Mr. Bose had contested against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran from Aruppukottai Assembly constituency in 1977. His son Vengaimarban is a councillor in Kariyapatti panchayat union and his daughter P. Thembavani is the president of Chettikulam panchayat.
Mr. Alagiri spent around 30 minutes meeting the party functionaries.
Among those who were present included party’s literary wing State deputy president Amudan, M. Athavan alias Jalaluddin (party State executive committee member), V. Selvam and Sumatra (State general body members), J. Sinraj (Virudhunagar union secretary) and D. Devaraj (former district panchayat member). It was for the first time Mr. Alagiri entered the district without being received and accompanied by the party MLA and former Minister Thangam Thennarasu.
