Panneerselvam names loyalist Vaithilingam as Joint Coordinator

The AIADMK, led by interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, has also removed Panneerselvam from his position of deputy leader in the Assembly. Panneerselvam maintains that he is the party coordinator and treasurer and related matters are before the Election Commission and court.

O Panneerselvam, leader of the rebel AIADMK camp on Monday appointed his loyalist R Vaithilingam as the party's joint coordinator and 'expelled' 10 office-bearers.

Panneerselvam appointed Vaithilingam as the joint coordinator and named former Minister, K P Krishnan and two other supporters, JCD Prabhakar and PH Manoj Pandian as deputy party coordinators.

OPS 'expelled' 10 functionaries including former Ministers M C Sampath and Kadambur C Raju from the party for indiscipline. Panneerselvam (OPS), was expelled from the party recently and he was also relieved of his post of party treasurer. The AIADMK, led by interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, has also removed Panneerselvam from his position of deputy leader in the Assembly. Palaniswami was the joint coordinator till the general council meeting on June 23. Later, he was elected interim chief on July 11.

Representation in this regard has been sent to Speaker M Appavu by the AIADMK and OPS has staunchly opposed changes to the composition in the legislature party. The matter is before the Speaker. Panneerselvam maintains that he is the party coordinator and treasurer and related matters are before the Election Commission and court.