AIADMK Veteran KA Sengottaiyan Challenges Illegal Expulsion by EPS, Vows Court Battle

KA Sengottaiyan (File Photo)

Chennai:

Following his expulsion from the AIADMK, veteran politician and nine-time MLA KA Sengottaiyan has launched a scathing critique against party chief Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS), declaring the decision "illegal" and confirming his intention to seek legal recourse.

Visibly emotional, Sengottaiyan emphasized his 53-year commitment to the AIADMK, lamenting that he received no show-cause notice before his abrupt removal. "I joined this party well before EPS did. I have faithfully served under both MGR and J Jayalalithaa, who acknowledged my dedication and loyalty. Today, I find myself sleepless and tearful," he expressed.

His expulsion came after he met with other expelled party figures—O Panneerselvam (OPS), VK Sasikala, and TTV Dhinakaran—at freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar's memorial in Pasumpon during the October 30 Thevar Jayanthi celebrations.

Sengottaiyan defended his actions, stating: "My meeting with OPS, Sasikala, and TTV was solely aimed at reconciliation."

He directly challenged EPS, proclaiming, "No one deserves a Nobel Prize for betrayal more than EPS. The entire nation knows how he ascended to Chief Minister after Sasikala's imprisonment. Everyone recognizes who the genuine betrayer is."

Refuting allegations of being the "DMK's B-Team," Sengottaiyan countered: "I am not the B-Team; EPS is A1," implicitly referencing cases connected to murders at Jayalalithaa's Kodanadu estate.

Sengottaiyan criticized EPS for autocratic leadership practices and held him responsible for the AIADMK's consecutive electoral defeats. "Since EPS assumed leadership, we've suffered losses in the 2019 Lok Sabha, 2021 Assembly, 2024 Lok Sabha, and local body elections," he pointed out.

He further revealed that he had twice been offered party leadership following Jayalalithaa's death but declined to prevent organizational fragmentation.

"I never demanded the reinstatement of expelled members. I merely advocated for resolution through dialogue. My proposals aimed to revitalize the AIADMK and realize MGR and Jayalalithaa's vision," he clarified.

In response, EPS accused Sengottaiyan of party betrayal and collaborating with expelled leaders, asserting that General Council decisions were definitive and actions were in accordance with party regulations.

"He had already begun operating as DMK's B-Team. At a cycle distribution event in his constituency, Jayalalithaa's images were conspicuously absent. That's when it started," EPS remarked.

He maintained that contacting individuals removed from primary membership constituted a significant violation.

Sengottaiyan also contended that EPS remains merely an "interim" General Secretary, explaining that his previous support for EPS was solely to preserve party unity. "We now simply echo public sentiment for AIADMK's return to power," he added.

As tensions intensify, political observers are monitoring whether Sengottaiyan and other expelled leaders will attempt an AIADMK comeback or gravitate toward actor Vijay's political organization, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).