KA Sengottaiyan joins Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, could reshape Erode’s political landscape

Veteran politician KA Sengottaiyan, former AIADMK MLA and nine-time representative from Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, formally joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Thursday, bringing along his supporters. The move comes just over seven months before the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and is expected to significantly influence political dynamics in Erode and surrounding constituencies.

TVK chief Vijay welcomed Sengottaiyan warmly, calling his decades of political experience and grassroots work a “great strength” for the party. In a video message, Vijay noted Sengottaiyan’s early association with AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and later with J. Jayalalithaa, highlighting his role in planning campaign schedules and earning the trust of both leaders. “After having remained in the same movement for 50 years, I warmly welcome brother Sengottaiyan and his supporters, confident that his political experience will strengthen Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam,” Vijay said.

Sengottaiyan resigned as Gobichettipalayam MLA on Wednesday, a day before joining TVK, following his expulsion from AIADMK in October. He had criticised the party leadership, particularly General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, accusing him of acting as a dictator, and had announced plans to challenge his dismissal in court. Palaniswami, however, maintained that Sengottaiyan’s expulsion was lawful, stating the party could not remain silent when someone weakened it.

Hailing from Kullampalayam village near Gobichettipalayam, Sengottaiyan has been elected MLA nine times since 1977, consistently demonstrating strong local support. His entry into TVK is seen as a strategic advantage for the party, especially in Erode, where his influence could sway voter behaviour and challenge traditional AIADMK dominance. Political analysts suggest that his move may consolidate votes in western Tamil Nadu, enhance TVK’s credibility, and make it a serious contender in key constituencies.

Sengottaiyan’s decades-long association with AIADMK, combined with his grassroots presence, provides TVK not only with electoral advantage but also potential leverage in pre-election alliances. With just over half a year remaining for the Assembly elections, his joining is likely to reshape the local political landscape and could play a pivotal role in determining voter patterns in Erode district and beyond.