Panneerselvam, who had already announced his exit from the BJP-led NDA, hinted at launching his own political course soon.
Published Oct 30, 2025 | 12:47 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 30, 2025 | 2:46 PM
Pannerselvam and Sengottaiyan seen together in car. Credit: x.com/TheniPNaveen08
Synopsis: Senior AIADMK leader KA Sengottaiyan sparked turmoil in Tamil Nadu politics by traveling with expelled coordinator O Panneerselvam in the same car to Pasumpon for Thevar Jayanthi, despite prior denials. After his September unity call against Edappadi K. Palaniswami led to expulsion from party posts, this public alliance hints at a brewing revolt, potentially involving TTV Dhinakaran and OPS’s NDA exit.
KA Sengottaiyan, senior AIADMK leader and former minister who had raised a call for uniting the party, created a stir in Tamil Nadu politics today after he travelled in the same car with O Panneerselvam, the former chief minister and expelled AIADMK coordinator.
In September, Sengottaiyan launched a campaign to reunite the leaders who had left the AIADMK.
In an press meet on 5 September, he had set a 10-day deadline to unify the party and warned that if unity efforts failed, he would align with like-minded leaders and take the necessary steps.
பசும்பொன் நோக்கி தென்பாண்டி சிங்கம்,கொங்கு நாட்டு தங்கம்…..#AIADMKChiefOPS AIADMK’s IT Wing O Panneerselvam TTV Dhinakaran K.A Sengottaiyan pic.twitter.com/vFnZgVAJfu
— Theni . P. Navaneethan MBA (@TheniPNaveen08) October 30, 2025
Shortly after this statement, AIADMK general secretary and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami removed him from all party responsibilities. Several of his supporters in Erode also lost their posts.
Around the same time, Sengottaiyan also met BJP leaders, including Union minister Amit Shah, in Delhi.
Subsequently, there were reports that Sengottaiyan had met O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran, causing political ripples. However, Sengottaiyan denied meeting them.
After removed from party posts Sengottaiyan had remained silent for the past few weeks and avoided public events especially attended by Palaniswami.
On 30 October, occasion of Thevar Jayanthi, Sengottaiyan and O Panneerselvam travelled together in the same car from Madurai to Pasumpon to garland the statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar — sparking widespread political speculation.
Although Sengottaiyan had previously denied meeting Panneerselvam or Dhinakaran, his open appearance today alongside the former has created fresh buzz within AIADMK circles. It is also being said that TTV Dhinakaran was part of this trip.
Panneerselvam, who had already announced his exit from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), hinted at launching his own political course soon, is now seen as a key player in this development.
Political observers note that Sengottaiyan, who had earlier declared that he would personally take charge of AIADMK’s reunification, seems to have begun that process. Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting that this move could lead to his complete expulsion from the party.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
