Palaniswami accuses Sengottaiyan of betraying AIADMK

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday described expelled veteran and former Gobichettipalayam MLA K.A. Sengottaiyan, without naming him, as a person who had “betrayed the party [AIADMK]” and launched a scathing attack on the latter, who joined actor Vijay’s TVK last week.

Addressing a public meeting in Gobichettipalayam as part of his Makkalai Kaappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom tour, he asked: “One person who had been the MLA of this constituency approached you seeking votes. But did he ask you before resigning?” He urged people not to worry, assuring them that once the AIADMK returned to power, Gobichettipalayam would be made the “best constituency” in the State.

Mr. Palaniswami blamed Mr. Sengottaiyan for abstaining from the felicitation event organised by various farmers’ associations in Annur for implementing the Avinashi–Athikadavu Project earlier this year., Mr. Palaniswami said: “Many political parties took part, but the constituency’s own MLA did not participate, claiming that photographs of former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa were omitted from the backdrop. He behaved like an Opposition MLA by boycotting the event.”

Pointing out that the former MLA, who claimed to “speak openly,” had issued a 10-day ultimatum to the party high command seeking the re-induction of a few persons removed from the party, Mr. Palaniswami asked, “How can we accept that? Since he was a senior, he was relieved only from party responsibilities.” The former MLA went to the Muthuramalinga Thevar Jayanthi celebrations and met people [V.K. Sasikala, O. Panneerselvam and T.T.V. Dhinakaran] who were removed from the party through general council resolutions. “We respected him, but he acted against the council’s resolution. Hence, after consultations, he was expelled from the party. Whoever betrays the party — God will deal with them,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

Continuing his attack, Mr. Palaniswami said the former MLA in question was now with another party and wished him well. Referrring to Mr. Sengottaiyan’s remarks that the TVK would provide “clean governance”, Mr. Palaniswami posed: “He was a Minister under MGR, Jayalalithaa, and during my tenure [as Chief Minister]. Did we not provide good governance?”. Alleged that his stand changed as his ‘towel’ (party affiliation) changed, he said the party (AIADMK) cannot be destroyed, as it is democratic and does not depend on any individual, including himself, but on lakhs of cadre.

The party will overcome all challenges and the victory celebration for the 2026 Assembly election will take place in Gobichettipalayam, he said.

Reiterating that he continues to be a farmer, Mr. Palaniswami challenged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to join him in the fields to determine “who the real farmer is.” He said he inspected waterlogged areas in the delta region regardless of whether he was in power or in the Opposition. “But the Chief Minister went to watch a film for three hours.” Rotten crops were shown to Mr. Stalin on a tray at Fort St. George instead of the Chief Minister visiting the fields, he alleged.

The police said S. Arjunan, 43, of Kondayampalayam in T.N. Palayam died after fainting during the meeting addressed by Mr. Palaniswami on Sunday. Volunteers and party workers rushed to his aid. He was taken to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. An inquiry is on.

Tributes to Janaki Ramachandran

Earlier in the day, Mr. Palaniswami paid tributes to late leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister V.N. Janaki Ramachandran on the occasion of her birth anniversary. In a social media post, he recalled the contributions of the first woman Chief Minister of the State for the welfare of the party and hailed “her sacrifice for the unity of the party.”