AIADMK Veteran K.A. Sengottaiyan Heads to Haridwar Amid Party Rift

Chennai: Embattled AIADMK stalwart and nine-time MLA K.A. Sengottaiyan, recently removed from all party posts, announced on Monday that he will travel to Haridwar, framing the visit as a spiritual quest for “peace of mind.” His move comes against the backdrop of mounting discord within the party following his demand to reinstate expelled leaders V.K. Sasikala, O. Panneerselvam, and T.T.V. Dhinakaran.

Sengottaiyan’s decision follows his sacking by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) just two days ago. The high command had also expelled six other functionaries from the Erode rural west district — all known supporters of Sengottaiyan.

“I am going to Haridwar to visit the Ram temple for inner peace. What I am saying is correct, and that is why people in my party are supporting me and not speaking against me,” Sengottaiyan said before leaving.

The disciplinary action against him has sparked a ripple effect in his stronghold of Gobichettipalayam, where dozens of functionaries have resigned en masse in protest. Former Tirupur MP V. Sathyabama was the first to quit, followed by hundreds of branch- and town-level leaders. Many gathered outside Sengottaiyan’s residence in a show of solidarity.

“Sacking Sengottaiyan for demanding reunification of the party was injustice. Reconciling with senior leaders who left would only strengthen AIADMK,” said K. Thiruvengadam, AIADMK secretary of Periyakodiveri town panchayat, who also resigned.

EPS, while dismissing speculation of disunity, declared that “none can break the party,” and sought to consolidate support by reiterating AIADMK’s demand for a Bharat Ratna for Thevar icon Muthuramalinga Thevar. The move is seen as an attempt to shore up support from the influential Thevar community after the expulsion of the OPS-Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction.

As AIADMK braces for the 2026 assembly elections, party insiders caution that if the internal rift continues unchecked, it could further weaken the party’s standing against the ruling DMK.