A Sudden Storm in Tamil Nadu Politics
Tamil Nadu’s political stage is once again in chaos. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has slipped into a fresh internal crisis after one of its most loyal veterans, K.A. Sengottaiyan, was expelled from the party. The move, announced by general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), has stirred a wave of emotion across party circles and beyond.
Sengottaiyan, who spent more than 53 years building the party brick by brick since the days of M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, was removed without prior notice. His voice trembled when he told reporters, “I served this party all my life. They did not even give me a warning. I could not sleep last night. This is not the AIADMK we built.”
For supporters, this was more than an expulsion. It felt like the beginning of a moral fracture within the organization that once stood united under the charisma of Amma.
EPS Draws a Hard Line
Sources inside the AIADMK describe the decision as “unavoidable.” EPS, already facing mounting challenges to his authority, reportedly saw Sengottaiyan’s recent meetings with expelled leaders O. Panneerselvam (OPS) and T.T.V. Dhinakaran as an act of betrayal.
Party insiders claim Sengottaiyan had been reaching out to old comrades to discuss “reviving unity among the old guard.” To EPS, this was tantamount to rebellion. His office quickly issued a statement citing “anti-party activities” and “violation of discipline.”
But the way it unfolded has shocked many. There was no show-cause notice, no inquiry, not even a phone call. A senior district secretary from Erode said privately, “If a man like Sengottaiyan can be thrown out overnight, who is safe anymore?”
Old Wounds, New Battles
This development reopens the wounds left after Jayalalithaa’s passing in 2016. The AIADMK has struggled to find its footing since then. The party split multiple times before EPS consolidated control, pushing out OPS and his loyalists.
Sengottaiyan, once a trusted aide to both factions, tried to stay neutral. He often played peacemaker, but his growing discomfort with EPS’s “one-man command” became visible in recent months.
His meeting with OPS at a local event in Salem reportedly triggered the final decision. The photograph of the two leaders shaking hands went viral, and within hours, the expulsion notice was out.
DMK and BJP Sensing an Opportunity
Ruling party DMK wasted no time to comment. Tamil Nadu minister P.K. Sekarbabu said EPS was “weakening his own house” and indirectly “helping the BJP grow.” He suggested that every purge inside the AIADMK splits its vote base further, giving other parties more ground in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Political observers echo this sentiment. Analyst K. Sreenivasan told this reporter, “The BJP knows it cannot grow independently in Tamil Nadu. It feeds on AIADMK’s weakness. Every internal fight is free publicity for them.”
While DMK appears calm, BJP’s silence is equally strategic. Insiders say the saffron party is keeping channels open with disgruntled AIADMK leaders, including those who were expelled in recent years.
Emotional Fallout and Legal Action Ahead
After his removal, Sengottaiyan appeared visibly pained when speaking to the media outside his home in Gobichettipalayam. He said he would challenge the decision legally, calling it “undemocratic and heartless.”
He added, “I stood by the party even when I disagreed. But loyalty now means nothing. I will not stay silent when injustice is done.”
Several local units in western Tamil Nadu have expressed support for him. Posters praising his decades of service have appeared overnight in Erode and Coimbatore. While EPS remains firm, sources say he has instructed district leaders to “maintain unity and avoid public statements.”
Political insiders, however, hint that this could be the beginning of a slow exodus. Some mid-level leaders, feeling alienated by the centralization of power, might rally around Sengottaiyan.
Inside the EPS Camp
Edappadi K. Palaniswami, meanwhile, is in no mood to compromise. His aides believe that showing leniency now would only embolden dissenters. The leadership wants to project strength ahead of 2026 state elections.
One senior MLA close to EPS remarked, “This is a test of loyalty. The general secretary will not tolerate double games. Those who cross the line will face action.”
Yet, this rigidity could prove costly. Analysts believe EPS’s tight grip on the party might alienate the very grassroots workers who gave him strength after Jayalalithaa’s demise.
What Lies Ahead for AIADMK
The coming weeks could define AIADMK’s future. If Sengottaiyan proceeds with legal action and gains sympathy, EPS’s leadership might face its toughest test yet.
There are whispers of possible mediation by a few senior members who still hold moral sway within the party. However, trust appears broken. The BJP and DMK are both watching the rift closely, hoping to capitalize on the disarray.
For Tamil Nadu’s voters, the situation is familiar but tiring. A party once known for its discipline and emotional connection with the people now looks like a house divided against itself.
Final Word
K.A. Sengottaiyan’s expulsion is more than a disciplinary act. It symbolizes a deepening identity crisis within AIADMK. As the party drifts between nostalgia for its glorious past and the cold reality of today’s power politics, one thing is clear — the unity that once defined it is now hanging by a thread.
If EPS cannot bridge this gap soon, the cracks may widen beyond repair, reshaping Tamil Nadu’s political map yet again.