Thanjai tense after MP’s removal

When asked about it, the newly designated deputy coordinator of the party Vaithilingam said, “Dinakaran cannot remove me as he has already been ousted from his post and hence, his action is not valid.” 

Meanwhile, tension gripped Thanjavur as supporters of Vaithilingam burnt the effigy of Dinakaran for removing their leader from the party. The protest turned into a free for all between the two groups on Tuesday afternoon. The supporters of Dinakaran and the local functionaries, including Raja, Ayyavoo, Ravi (former Vilar panchayat president), Kumaraguru, town student wing secretary and others started distributing sweets to the public after bursting crackers at Railady in Thanjavur after Dinakaran’s announcement of the removal. 

Soon, the supporters of Vaithilingam, Gandhi, Saravanan, Ramesh, Arivudainambi, Punniamurthy, Pandarinathan, Duraiveeran and former district panchayat president Amutha Ravichandran reached Railady to counter their celebrations. They also carried an effigy of Dinakaran to express their displeasure on the move. 

When they tried to burn the effigy, supporters of Dinakaran ran towards them and tried to snatch that away. However, Vaithilingam’s supporters started attacking them with logs. 

On information, a police team led by Town DSP reached the spot and tried to pacify both the groups. But, by that time, the effigy was burnt and the act triggered tension in the town. 

RDO, Tahsildhar and armed police rushed to the spot as both the groups were relentlessly engaged in a war of words. Later, supporters of Vaithilingam dispersed from the spot. However, Dinakaran’s men took out a procession holding the portrait of Vaithilingam and attempted to burn it admid sloganeering against the MP. A heavy pose of police personnel was posted at Railady to curb any untoward incidents.