Pugazhendhi criticises EPS for removing Sengottaiyan from party posts

AIADMK Coordination Committee member V. Pugazhendhi on Saturday (September 6, 2025) strongly criticised party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for removing senior leader and former Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan from his organisational posts.

After meeting Mr. Sengottaiyan at his residence in Gobichettipalayam, Mr. Pugazhendhi told reporters the veteran leader, a close associate of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who had played a key role in strengthening the party, had never spoken against the leadership. “He has only insisted on party unity. Yet, such a leader has been sidelined,” he said.

Accusing Mr. Palaniswami of “self-proclaiming himself as the leader” by setting aside the resolution that declared Jayalalithaa as the party’s permanent general secretary, he said, “AIADMK belongs to MGR and Jayalalithaa.” Mr. Pugazhendhi further claimed that several former Ministers were dissatisfied with Mr. Palaniswami’s style of functioning. “If leaders like V.K. Sasikala, O. Panneerselvam, and Sengottaiyan come together, AIADMK will regain its original strength,” he said.

He also alleged that Mr. Palaniswami was spending crores on every meeting, unlike Mr. Sengottaiyan, who could mobilise crowds without spending money. People would eventually reject Mr. Palaniswami’s leadership, he added, expressing confidence that courts would soon decide on the internal tussle in the party.