Veteran Politician Ends 50-Year AIADMK Association
In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, former minister and expelled AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan officially joined the TVK party on Thursday. The joining ceremony took place at the Panaiyur head office in the presence of TVK president Vijay, marking the end of Sengottaiyan's nearly five-decade-long association with AIADMK.
Resignation and Strategic Meetings
The political transition began on Wednesday when Sengottaiyan resigned as MLA of Gobichettipalayam. He visited assembly speaker M Appavu's chamber at the secretariat to submit his resignation, choosing to remain silent when questioned by reporters. "Wait for one more day," he told them, hinting at the impending announcement.
Following his resignation, the veteran politician drove directly to TVK president Vijay's Pattinapakkam residence for a crucial meeting that lasted nearly two hours. The discussions involved TVK general secretaries N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and joint secretary C T R Nirmal Kumar, who were all present to finalize the modalities of Sengottaiyan's induction into the party.
Political Implications and Future Role
TVK functionaries revealed that Sengottaiyan is likely to receive a role equivalent to that of general secretary N Anand within the party structure. The formal induction is expected to occur within the next couple of days, with supporters from Gobichettipalayam and adjoining constituencies in Erode district accompanying him during the ceremony.
TVK propaganda secretary Arun Raj didn't mince words when assessing the impact of this development, stating that Sengottaiyan's move has signaled a 'red alert' for the ruling DMK. While not considered a mass leader, Sengottaiyan's extensive experience in party affairs and organizing political campaigns is expected to significantly benefit TVK, which has been seeking veteran leadership to strengthen its organizational structure.
Sources indicated that the DMK had attempted to reach out to Sengottaiyan during this transition period, but the experienced leader did not respond to their overtures, choosing instead to align with the growing TVK.
End of AIADMK Era and Growing Tensions
The 77-year-old politician's departure from AIADMK concludes months of internal conflict with party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). Sengottaiyan had maintained an uneasy relationship with EPS for some time, with tensions becoming public earlier this year when he expressed displeasure over the absence of portraits of MGR and J Jayalalithaa on an event invitation in Coimbatore.
The final straw came when Sengottaiyan was expelled from AIADMK shortly after he appeared alongside AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran and AIADMK Cadres' Rights Retrieval Kazhagam coordinator O Panneerselvam at Pasumpon on October 30. EPS had previously removed Sengottaiyan from party posts after the veteran leader issued a ten-day ultimatum demanding the reinduction of expelled leaders.
Sengottaiyan's political journey with AIADMK began in 1972, and he has served as a nine-time MLA, making his departure particularly significant in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. His extensive experience and organizational skills are now poised to benefit TVK as the party positions itself for future electoral battles.
