Sethu Selvam. File
| Photo Credit: T. Singaravelou
The Communist Party of India (CPI) in Puducherry said that trade union leader K. Sethu Selvam has been removed from the party’s executive committee and the post of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary (Puducherry) after he was placed under suspension for “financial impropriety.” He was accused of taking money to settle a land dispute between a former DMK Minister and a French national in Puducherry.
Briefing reporters on Monday (November 10, 2025), CPI Puducherry secretary A.M. Saleem said Mr. Selvam was served the suspension order following an inquiry by the party on November 7. The party executive had issued the order after hearing Mr. Selvam on the complaint filed by the French national.
On November 9, Mr. Selvam convened a press conference announcing his resignation from the CPI’s executive committee stating he was unhappy with how party affairs were being managed.
“We have now decided to expel him,” Mr. Saleem said. “When he [Mr. Selvam] announced his resignation, he was serving suspension for a period of one year. He was served the suspension order after the French national accused him of taking ₹15 lakh to settle the land dispute with the former Minister. The French national has given a written complaint with evidence to the party. The charges against Mr. Selvam go against the principles of the CPI,” Mr. Saleem added.
On Mr. Selvam’s charge that there was no clarity on whether the CPI would contest from the Thattanchavady constituency in the 2026 Assembly polls, the party secretary said the CPI is a partner in the INDIA bloc and that the alliance leaders are yet to enter into any seat-sharing agreement. “The CPI follows certain procedures when it comes to electoral politics and decisions on candidates. Individuals do not decide on party candidature,” he said.
Mr. Selvam had unsuccessfully contested against Chief Minister N. Rangasamy from Thattanchavady constituency in the 2021 Assembly polls.
Published – November 11, 2025 11:37 am IST
