DMK leader Selvaraj resigns, cites ‘continuous neglect’ by party leadership

DMK leader K Selvaraj has resigned from the party, citing continuous neglect by the senior leadership and alleging favoritism towards new joiners over long-time party members.

DMK leader K Selvaraj on Thursday announced his resignation from the party, citing ''continuous neglect'' by the senior leadership.

Former DMK MLA from Tiruppur South and secretary of the party's Tiruppur Central district unit, he contested the Palladam constituency unsuccessfully in the April 23 Assembly elections, finishing in third place behind the AIADMK and TVK candidates.

Speaking to reporters, he alleged that ''hardworking party functionaries and cadres were being consistently ignored'' by the party leadership.

He said he had served as the Tirupur North district secretary for a long time and had also won the same constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections, when the DMK came to power.

He further alleged that priority was being given to individuals who had joined the party from rival political outfits, rather than to those who had long dedicated themselves to the DMK.

Stating that he began his political journey in 1976 through trade union activities and subsequently held various responsibilities within the party, he claimed, ''I was asked to contest from the Palladam constituency, for which I had not even submitted an application seeking nomination.''.

Selvaraj clarified that he has no intention of joining any other political party and said he intends to step away from active politics in the future.