Former AIADMK Minister expelled for anti-party activities

Chennai, Aug 25 (UNI) In a surprise development, former AIADMK Minister and Secretary of Salem Urban West District, T M Selvaganapathy was today expelled from the party for ''anti-party activities''.

AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa sacked Mr Selvaganapathy, who had served as Local Administration and Housing Minsiter in her cabinet, during 1991-96 on charges of bringing ''disrepute to the party''.

In a statement here, Ms Jayalalithaa said the former Minister had acted against the interest of the party and conducted in such a manner, bringing disrepute to the party. She had advised partymen not to keep any links with him.

Considered to be the strong man of AIADMK in Salem District, Mr Selvaganapathy became party MP, when he defeated local strongman, late Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections.

He was one of the former AIADMK Ministers to face corruption charges. He was convicted in the colour television distribution scam (distribution of colour television sets to village panchayats) and sentenced to five years imprisonmnet.

His appeal against the Special Court order is pending before the Madras High Court.

UNI WS KVV RL VC2123