Veteran Tamil Nadu politician K.A. Sengottaiyan resigned as MLA from Gobichettipalayam on November 26, 2025, and is set to join actor Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). This marks a major shift in Tamil Nadu politics, as Sengottaiyan was a nine‑time MLA and a former AIADMK strongman.
Background:
- Nine‑time MLA: Sengottaiyan represented Gobichettipalayam in western Tamil Nadu for decades.
- Former AIADMK minister: Held key portfolios, including School Education.
- Expelled from AIADMK: In October 2025, he was removed after aligning with ousted leaders like VK Sasikala, O. Panneerselvam, and TTV Dhinakaran during a unity meeting.
Current Development:
- Resignation: On November 26, Sengottaiyan submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker M. Appavu in Chennai.
- Joining TVK: He is expected to formally join Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam in the coming days, making him one of the biggest inductions for the fledgling party.
- Emotional statement: Sengottaiyan said he felt “anguished” after being sidelined by AIADMK, noting that his decades of service ended with expulsion.
Political Impact:
- Boost for TVK: Vijay’s party, preparing for its electoral debut, gains credibility with Sengottaiyan’s experience and vote base in Erode district.
- Challenge for AIADMK: Losing a senior leader further weakens the party’s western Tamil Nadu stronghold.
- Symbolic shift: Sengottaiyan’s move reflects the growing appeal of Vijay’s TVK among veteran politicians and younger voters alike.
Sengottaiyan’s resignation and likely induction into TVK is a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics. For Vijay’s party, it signals momentum ahead of its first elections, while for AIADMK, it underscores internal fractures and declining influence in key regions.
