The opposition AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on Monday expelled 17 leaders including party spokesman V Pugazhendi for having contacted former interim general secretary VK Sasikala.
At a meeting held at the party headquarters in Chennia a resolution against Sasikala, castigating her for "reaching out" to certain party leaders was also passed.
The resolution also accused her of trying to capture the party and staging a drama by speaking to certain leaders and then selectively leaking parts of the conversations.
Former Minister M Anandan and former Member of Parliament Chinnaswamy were among the other senior leaders who were expelled from the party.