“I was supposed to give my side of the story tomorrow, but they pre-empted it by sacking me,” he told FMT.

Awtar was due to answer allegations that he had verbally abused and tried to attack Selangor MIC chief MB Raja during the state chapter’s meeting with Selangor Umno in Putrajaya a few weeks ago.

He was previously issued a show-cause letter.

Party secretary-general RT Rajasekaran said Awtar, the MIC Puchong division chief, was summarily sacked after he “crossed the boundary” by using social media to attack MIC leaders.

He said Awtar’s expulsion was unrelated to a video clip that went viral on Sunday in which he labelled MIC president SA Vigneswaran “undemocratic”.

However, the expulsion letter, signed by Vigneswaran, said Awtar was sacked over the viral video, which he claimed had brought the party into disrepute and tarnished its image.

Rajasekaran said the party president had always been receptive to criticism from members, especially during central executive committee meetings.

On the other hand, he said Awtar’s latest action of viralling the clip on social media and making unfounded allegations against the president was the last straw.

“It has crossed all boundaries of tolerance. As such, expulsion according to the MIC constitution was the only option.”

The dismissal letter, issued within a few hours of the video surfacing, gave Awtar 14 days to appeal against his sacking from the party.

However, Awtar previously told FMT he would not appeal his dismissal, saying it would be “a waste of time”. He also said its hearing would be akin to appearing before a “kangaroo court”.