Will continue efforts to strengthen AIADMK, says Sengottaiyan after removal from key posts

Asserting that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who proclaims that democracy thrives within the party, should have sought an explanation for his remarks before taking action against him, former Minister and Gobichettipalayam MLA K.A. Sengottaiyan, who was relieved of his organisational responsibilities on Saturday (September 6, 2025), declared that he would persist in his mission to reintegrate those who had left the party.

Mr. Sengottaiyan, who held the key positions of organisation secretary and secretary of the Erode Suburban (West) district unit, was removed from both posts. In addition, seven of his loyalists were stripped of district-level responsibilities. The decision followed his call for the leadership to consolidate the party by readmitting leaders who had exited, specifying a 10-day deadline issued to the high command.

Addressing reporters in Gobichettipalayam after he was removed from his responsibilities in the party, Mr. Sengottaiyan said he had merely echoed the sentiments of the cadre and the aspirations of the people. “Only a united AIADMK can reclaim power. I voiced my opinion frankly yesterday, and today, I was relieved of my responsibilities,” he said. Without naming Mr. Palaniswami, he added, “He has often said that anyone can express their opinion in the party and that there are no hurdles. Usually, democracy in a party means seeking an explanation before action is taken.”

When asked about his next course of action, Mr. Sengottaiyan said, “My work will proceed in the same direction as I stated yesterday.” When pressed on whether Mr. Palaniswami was behind his removal, he quipped, “Cannot say now.” On whether he had raised his views in the general body meeting, he retorted, “When did it convene?”

He reiterated that the cadre and the people wanted the AIADMK to return to power and recalled that even leaders who had previously been expelled had requested to rejoin the party unconditionally. “Since no initiative was taken, I voiced the popular opinion,” he said.

The former Minister noted that his views had received support from several leaders, including T.T.V. Dhinakaran, H. Raja, and Premallatha Vijayakant. “This is not for my personal gain, but for the party’s welfare,” he stressed, adding that time would reveal whether he had consulted senior leaders before making his remarks.

Former Tiruppur MP V. Sathyabama was present during the interaction.