Erode East byelection: Expelled AIADMK functionary withdraws nomination

ERODE: Expelled AIADMK MGR Youth Wing joint secretary Senthil Murugan, who had filed his nomination for the Erode East byelection as an independent candidate, withdrew his papers on Monday.
Murugan had submitted his nomination to run as an independent candidate after AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami declared that the party would boycott the byelection.Palaniswami expelled him from the AIADMK for breaching party regulations.
While speaking to reporters after withdrawing his nomination on Monday, Murugan said NTK leader Seeman’s negative comments about social reformer Periyar was the reason for him to file his papers. "Seeman spoke negatively about Periyar, which forced me to decide to run against the NTK candidate," he said.
Murugan said he believed his expulsion from the AIADMK would not hinder his political career. "My political journey will continue," he said, indicating that he would reveal his next steps soon.
In the 2023 byelection in the same constituency, OPS faction fielded Murugan as its candidate. However, he withdrew the nomination after the AIADMK's alliance partners, including the BJP, urged OPS to relinquish the party symbol in favour of the EPS faction. Shortly after, he joined the EPS faction of the party.