Sengottaiyan hints at AIADMK leaders joining TVK

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) high-level Administrative Committee Chief Coordinator K.A. Sengottaiyan on Wednesday said that some members of the AIADMK were likely to join the TVK in the near future.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Mr. Sengottaiyan referred to recent political developments involving former Chief Minister and coordinator of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Workers’ Rights Retrieval Kazhagam, O. Panneerselvam (OPS).

He said Mr. Panneerselvam had made it clear that he would not rejoin the AIADMK under the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami and had reiterated that he would not tolerate what he described as acts of betrayal. Mr. Sengottaiyan said a clear decision from Mr. Panneerselvam was expected shortly.

Responding to questions on alliances, Mr. Sengottaiyan said there were no discussions at present regarding a possible tie-up between the Congress and the TVK.

He said alliance decisions would be taken at an appropriate time and noted that the party’s position had already been articulated at a public meeting in Erode. He added that the party had clearly outlined its ideological stand, including whom it opposed.

Stating that a political shift could be expected after the Pongal festival, Mr. Sengottaiyan reiterated that some leaders from the AIADMK were likely to move to the TVK. He acknowledged that leaders, including T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Mr. Panneerselvam, were in talks with various parties regarding alliances, but said there was no clarity yet on when final decisions would be announced.

Mr. Sengottaiyan also said that TVK president Vijay was scheduled to take part in an event in Malaysia on December 27 and 28, after which discussions would be held on future political tours.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, Mr. Sengottaiyan said public support for Mr. Vijay was growing steadily. He claimed that people were gathering organically to see him, unlike in other parties where crowds were mobilised. There was an increasing public expectation for new leadership in Tamil Nadu, he added.