Former AIADMK Minister A. Anwhar Raajhaa, a prominent face of the minorities, was expelled from the party again on Monday (July 21, 2025). He later joined the DMK in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai.

In a statement, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami cited the former Minister’s “anti-party activity” as the reason for the disciplinary action.

The strongman from Ramanathapuram, who has been critical of Mr. Palaniswami since the party revived poll ties with the BJP, said he was left with no option but to join the DMK to protect Tamil Nadu from various threats, including Hindi imposition and State autonomy, posed by the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Addressing reporters in Chennai, Mr. Raajhaa said, “The BJP’s agenda is to destroy the AIADMK first and then fight against the DMK. Not even once has Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Mr. Palaniswami would be the Chief Minister candidate. He had only said that NDA would form the government in Tamil Nadu.”

Controversies

Mr. Raahjaa was first ousted from the AIADMK in December 2021 on the eve of the meeting of the party’s executive. This followed an interview with The Hindu, in which he had said that V.K. Sasikala was no longer a liability. Earlier, he courted controversy after he allegedly spoke in a “derogatory manner” against Mr. Palaniswami, for which he later apologised. During the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections, Mr. Raajhaa was not given a ticket to contest.

In August 2023, he returned to the AIADMK. However, the party, which fielded candidates in 34 constituencies, including Ramanathapuram, during the 2024 Lok Sabha poll, did not nominate him again. The AIADMK’s candidate P. Jeyaperumal had forfeited the deposit then.

(With inputs from PTI)