AIADMK Shake-Up: Edappadi Palaniswami Removes Sengottaiyan from All Party Roles

In a dramatic turn of events, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has ordered the immediate removal of senior leader and former minister K.A. Sengottaiyan from all party responsibilities, intensifying internal tensions within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The decision, announced on September 6, 2025, follows Sengottaiyan’s bold ultimatum to Palaniswami, demanding the reunification of estranged party leaders within a 10-day deadline to strengthen the party ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This move, made after a high-stakes meeting in Dindigul, has sparked widespread speculation about the future of AIADMK’s leadership and unity. This article delves into the details of the decision, the events leading up to it, and its potential implications for Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

Sengottaiyan, a veteran leader and eight-time MLA from Gobichettipalayam, had been a prominent figure in the AIADMK, serving as the party’s organization secretary and Erode Suburban West District Secretary. His call for unity, echoed by several expelled leaders and supporters, was seen as a direct challenge to Palaniswami’s leadership, prompting swift action. The removal of Sengottaiyan and his supporters marks a critical juncture for the AIADMK, which has faced electoral setbacks since 2016 and is under pressure to consolidate its base for the upcoming polls.

Sengottaiyan’s Ultimatum and Call for Unity

On September 5, 2025, K.A. Sengottaiyan publicly urged Edappadi Palaniswami to reintegrate expelled leaders, including V.K. Sasikala, O. Panneerselvam, and T.T.V. Dhinakaran, into the AIADMK fold. Speaking at a press conference in Gobichettipalayam, Sengottaiyan emphasized the need for a united front to reclaim the party’s past glory and secure victory in the 2026 elections. He set a 10-day deadline for Palaniswami to initiate reconciliation efforts, warning that failure to act would lead like-minded leaders to take independent steps to unify the party. Sengottaiyan’s remarks reflected the sentiments of the party cadre and gained traction among supporters, as well as external leaders like T.T.V. Dhinakaran and H. Raja, who endorsed his call for unity.

Sengottaiyan’s public statement was not an isolated act but the culmination of months of reported friction with Palaniswami. The veteran leader had expressed dissatisfaction over being sidelined in party affairs, notably during a felicitation event in February 2025 for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project, where he criticized the omission of former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa’s photographs. His absence from key party meetings and events further fueled rumors of a rift, setting the stage for his bold ultimatum. Sengottaiyan’s appeal was rooted in the AIADMK’s electoral struggles, having faced defeats in the 2019, 2021, and 2024 polls, which he attributed to internal divisions.

Emergency Meeting in Dindigul

Palaniswami, who was in Dindigul as part of his ‘Makkalai Kaappom, Tamizhagathai Meetppom’ campaign tour, responded swiftly to Sengottaiyan’s challenge. On September 6, 2025, he convened an emergency meeting with senior AIADMK leaders, including former ministers Dindigul Srinivasan, Natham Viswanathan, K.P. Munusamy, S.P. Velumani, Kamaraj, and Vijaya Bhaskar. The hour-long discussion focused on the party’s strategy and Sengottaiyan’s ultimatum, which was perceived as a direct threat to Palaniswami’s authority. Following the meeting, Palaniswami held consultations with district-level alliance party executives, signaling a broader effort to consolidate support within the party and its allies.

Security measures were notably heightened during Palaniswami’s stay in Dindigul, with sniffer dogs deployed to inspect the private hotel where he was lodged. Visitors were subjected to thorough checks before being allowed to meet the general secretary, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the consultations. The outcome of the meeting was decisive: Palaniswami announced Sengottaiyan’s removal from his roles as organization secretary and Erode Suburban West District Secretary, along with the dismissal of seven of his supporters from various district posts. This swift action demonstrated Palaniswami’s intent to maintain control and quell dissent within the party.

Sengottaiyan’s Response and Party Dynamics

Following his removal, Sengottaiyan addressed the media in Gobichettipalayam, expressing no regret over his actions. “I am not upset over being sacked from party posts. I am happy,” he stated, emphasizing that his call for unity was driven by the cadre’s desire for a stronger AIADMK. He criticized the lack of inner-party democracy, noting that Palaniswami should have sought an explanation before taking action. Sengottaiyan vowed to continue his efforts to reintegrate expelled leaders, stating, “My work will proceed in the same direction as I stated yesterday,” signaling his determination to push for party unity despite his ouster.

Sengottaiyan’s supporters, including former Tiruppur MP V. Sathyabama, rallied around him, with many gathering at his residence after the announcement. His call for unity resonated with several expelled leaders, including O. Panneerselvam, V.K. Sasikala, and T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who have expressed willingness to rejoin the AIADMK without conditions. The support from external leaders, including BJP’s H. Raja and DMDK’s Premalatha Vijayakant, highlights the broader political implications of the rift, especially as the AIADMK has recently re-established ties with the BJP-led NDA for the 2026 elections.

Historical Context and Leadership Struggles

The AIADMK has faced internal turmoil since the demise of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in 2016, with factionalism weakening its electoral prospects. Palaniswami consolidated his leadership in 2022 after the expulsion of O. Panneerselvam, becoming the unquestioned general secretary. However, the party’s inability to secure victories in the 2019 Lok Sabha, 2021 Assembly, and 2024 Lok Sabha elections has intensified calls for reunification. Sengottaiyan, a loyalist of both M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, argued that the party’s founders had a history of forgiving dissenters for the sake of unity, citing their re-admission of expelled leaders to strengthen the organization.

Sengottaiyan’s removal is not his first brush with party discipline. In 2012, Jayalalithaa herself stripped him of his role as party headquarters secretary, though he later regained prominence. His current ouster reflects Palaniswami’s firm stance against challenges to his authority, particularly as the AIADMK navigates a critical phase ahead of the 2026 polls. Party insiders suggest that Sengottaiyan’s influence in western Tamil Nadu, a key region for the AIADMK, could complicate Palaniswami’s efforts to maintain control, especially if dissident factions rally around the former minister.

Implications for AIADMK’s Future

The removal of Sengottaiyan and his supporters underscores the deep divisions within the AIADMK, raising questions about its cohesion as the 2026 elections approach. Palaniswami’s decision to act decisively signals his intent to maintain a tight grip on the party, but it risks alienating a significant section of the cadre, particularly in western Tamil Nadu, where Sengottaiyan wields considerable influence. The support for Sengottaiyan’s unity call from expelled leaders and NDA allies like the BJP suggests that the issue of reunification remains a contentious and unresolved matter.

The AIADMK’s recent alliance with the BJP-led NDA adds another layer of complexity. While Palaniswami has emphasized the party’s autonomy, the BJP’s push for a stronger working relationship could influence internal dynamics. Sengottaiyan’s call for unity aligns with the broader goal of consolidating opposition forces against the ruling DMK, but Palaniswami’s resistance to re-admitting expelled leaders indicates a preference for maintaining his leadership unchallenged, even at the cost of potential fragmentation.

Political Reactions and What Lies Ahead

The political fallout from Sengottaiyan’s removal has been swift, with supporters and analysts speculating about his next move. While Sengottaiyan has denied plans to switch parties, his continued advocacy for unity suggests he may explore alternative avenues to influence the AIADMK’s direction. The backing from leaders like O. Panneerselvam and Sasikala, who represent the Thevar community, could lead to a realignment of factions within the party, particularly in southern Tamil Nadu, where their influence is strong.

For Palaniswami, the challenge lies in balancing party unity with his leadership authority. The AIADMK’s electoral success in 2026 will depend on its ability to present a united front and leverage its alliance with the NDA. However, internal dissent, as evidenced by Sengottaiyan’s ouster, could weaken the party’s prospects, especially in key regions like Erode and Coimbatore. As the political landscape evolves, the AIADMK’s ability to navigate these challenges will be critical to its revival as a dominant force in Tamil Nadu politics.