Ahead of his announcement, Sengottaiyan held consultations with AIADMK district functionaries in Gobichettipalayam today, 2 September.
Published Sep 02, 2025 | 4:47 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 02, 2025 | 4:47 PM
In happier times: KA Sengottaiyan and E Palaniswami. Credit: www.facebook.com/KASengottaiyan
Synopsis: With senior AIADMK leaders like A Anwar Raja and V Maitreyan already defected to the DMK, political observers say Sengottaiyan’s next move could trigger a fresh headache for the AIADMK leadership.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam’s style of dissent now seems to be echoed by senior party leader KA Sengottaiyan. Speaking to reporters, Sengottaiyan said he would “open his heart” on 5 September.
It is widely expected that he may either announce his exit from the party or strongly call for the reunification of AIADMK.
In recent months, Sengottaiyan, a senior AIADMK leader and former minister, has openly displayed differences with the party leadership. The strain became evident during the function celebrating the Athikadavu–Avinashi water project in the Kongu region.
Sengottaiyan boycotted the event, saying the invitation failed to carry the images of party icons MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. However, AIADMK insiders claimed he was upset that due importance was not given to him.
The cracks widened further when Sengottaiyan met BJP leaders in Delhi just before the AIADMK–BJP alliance was formally announced. Reports even suggested that the BJP preferred Sengottaiyan as AIADMK’s general secretary to finalise the alliance. But once Edappadi K Palaniswami sealed the deal and made the announcement himself, Sengottaiyan’s Delhi visit lost relevance.
Since then, Sengottaiyan has skipped several AIADMK events. He was notably absent when Palaniswami launched his statewide campaign “Save the People, Save Tamil Nadu” at Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district.
In return, Palaniswami too avoided visiting Sengottaiyan’s home turf, Erode, during his campaign tour across the Kongu belt—an unmistakable sign of friction between the two.
For several months, Sengottaiyan has also avoided mentioning Palaniswami’s name in public speeches. Recently, he told the media that only a united AIADMK could defeat the DMK, stressing the need for reconciliation.
His remark was widely seen as a call to bring back sidelined leaders like O Panneerselvam, TTV Dhinakaran, and VK Sasikala into the party fold. It is against this backdrop that Sengottaiyan has now announced he will openly speak on 5 September.
Ahead of his announcement, Sengottaiyan held consultations with AIADMK district functionaries in Gobichettipalayam today, 2 September.
The meeting was attended by Bhavanisagar MLA A Bannari, Erode suburban office-bearers, and others from different parts of Erode including 18 union secretaries, three town secretaries, and 14 municipality secretaries, all of whom pledged their support.
Speaking at a meeting with party functionaries, Sengottaiyan reportedly instructed each office-bearer from Erode West district to mobilise at least 50 supporters and bring them along for the 5 September event.
“Bring as many people as you can. I will announce the venue shortly. At that meeting, I will reveal my decision,” he told them.
He also stressed that at a time when the DMK alliance appears strong, the only way for the AIADMK to succeed is by contesting as a united force. The 5 September gathering is expected to showcase Sengottaiyan’s strength in the Kongu region, a key base for the party.
With senior AIADMK leaders like A Anwar Raja and V Maitreyan already defected to the DMK, political observers say Sengottaiyan’s next move could trigger a fresh headache for the AIADMK leadership.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
