Selvaraj replaces Duraisamy as DMK deputy general secretary

A brief statement issued by party president MK Stalin on Thursday announced the sacking and replacement. Though no reason has been stated for the action in the official statement, it was obvious that the DMK high command was angered by Duraisamy going public against the party. A vexed Duraisamy had even reportedly recalled how he had vainly met DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin to secure a RS berth.

The official Facebook page of the state BJP had described Duraisamy’s visit then as courtesy call and added that the former Assembly deputy speaker was appreciative of the functioning of Murugan.

The sacking has cleared the decks for Duraisamy to migrate to the saffron party. In appointing Selvaraj, who also hails from Arunthathiyar community, the DMK high command has played the caste card well to offset criticism of the party meting out a raw deal to a Dalit leader.