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TMC suspends Kumaradas

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Aug. 10. A day after the open revolt by five TMC MLAs, the party president, G.K. Vasan, today suspended the leader of the rebel group, D. Kumaradas and issued show-cause notices to two other MLAs, M.A. Hakeem and R. Easwaran.

The disciplinary action, though belated, is aimed at pre-empting the three MLAs from continuing as TMC legislators in the Assembly after the party's merger with the Congress on August 14. For, according to existing rules, expelled MLAs can only function as ``unattached'' members.

Five TMC MLAs, led by Dr.Kumaradas, had represented to the Assembly Speaker, K.Kalimuthu on August 7 that they be allowed to continue as TMC legislators in the event of the merger.

As for two other MLAs — S.S.Mani Nadar and C.K.Tamizharasan — who had also petitioned the Speaker to let them continue as TMC legislators, the party is hopeful of wooing them back. The two MLAs are said to be in touch with Mr. Vasan, while the other three legislators called a media conference today and announced their decision not to join the Congress.

Curiously, the suspension of Dr. Kumaradas follows his expulsion two months ago.

Mr. Vasan had expelled him in May this year, but withdrew it when the MLA moved court, pointing to procedural lapses in his ouster. (No show-cause notice was issued before his expulsion). However, this time round, the party is coursing through the technicalities cautiously. Hence, a show-cause notice was issued three days ago to Dr. Kumaradas.

As there was no response, he has been placed under suspension, according to the TMC legislature group leader, S.R.Balasubramaniam.

After a meeting with senior party leaders at the TMC headquarters here, Mr. Vasan told the media that the decision to merge with the Congress was taken unanimously at the general council.

Mr. Balasubramaniam alleged that the MLAs were coerced by ``some quarters'' , but did not name them.

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