An AIADMK functionary, who had decided to contest as an independent candidate for the Erode East bypoll, withdrew his nomination on Monday.

Despite the party’s decision to boycott the election, B. Senthil Murugan, joint secretary of the MGR youth wing in Erode, filed his nomination. On Sunday, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in a press release, stated that his actions brought disrepute to the party and subsequently expelled him.

After withdrawing his nomination, Mr. Senthil Murugan told the media that he decided to contest the election to oppose Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman’s controversial remarks about Dravidar Kazhagam founder Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. When asked about his expulsion from the party, he said, “I don’t think it will affect my political journey. My political journey will continue,”. He added that he is yet to decide on joining another political party.