<p>Chennai: Expelled <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/aiadmk">AIADMK </a>leader K A Sengottaiyan, who brings with him about 50 years of experience in Dravidian politics gained by working with leaders like M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, on Thursday joined actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam here. </p><p>Sengottaiyan met Vijay at the TVK headquarters here along with his supporters and accepted the party’s membership. Vijay warmly welcomed the 77-year-old nine-term legislator, who has been associated with the AIADMK since its founding in 1972, saying his experience as a field worker will be a great asset to his fledgling party. </p>. <p>“Sengottaiyan’s inclusion would strengthen the party's organizational structure and electoral strategy ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections,” Vijay said in a video posted on his social media pages. </p>.<p>Hours later, Sengottaiyan was named as the Chief Co-ordinator of the 28-member high-level administrative committee of the TVK and as organisation secretary for the party in Erode, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and the Nilgiris districts. </p><p>On his part, Sengottaiyan said he would strengthen the hands of Vijay in his efforts to deliver “pure governance” in Tamil Nadu. Along with Sengottaiyan, former Puducherry BJP chief Saminathan and many others joined the TVK.</p>.Explained | How Vijay’s fledgling party got a big pre-poll boost with Sengottaiyan joining TVK .<p>Sengottaiyan will be an asset for the TVK which now lacks experienced politicians in its fold – a majority of its second-rung leaders are either novices or inexperienced politicians who never worked with the Dravidian majors. It is believed that Vijay wanted a veteran like Sengottaiyan not just to advise him but also formulate strategies for the 2026 elections. </p><p>The lack of a politically trained and experienced hand in TVK ranks was felt after the Karur stampede that killed 41 people when the party’s response was inadequate. </p>.Sengottaiyan resigns as MLA amid speculations over joining Vijay’s TVK .<p>Sengottaiyan not just brings about 50 years of his experience working with the AIADMK and taking on the DMK within and outside the Assembly but also his capability to design the election campaign. </p><p>Besides serving as MLA for nine terms first from Sathyamangalam and then from Gobichettipalayam, Sengottaiyan was also a minister in the Jayalalithaa and Palaniswami cabinets. </p>
<p>Chennai: Expelled <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/aiadmk">AIADMK </a>leader K A Sengottaiyan, who brings with him about 50 years of experience in Dravidian politics gained by working with leaders like M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, on Thursday joined actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam here. </p><p>Sengottaiyan met Vijay at the TVK headquarters here along with his supporters and accepted the party’s membership. Vijay warmly welcomed the 77-year-old nine-term legislator, who has been associated with the AIADMK since its founding in 1972, saying his experience as a field worker will be a great asset to his fledgling party. </p>. <p>“Sengottaiyan’s inclusion would strengthen the party's organizational structure and electoral strategy ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections,” Vijay said in a video posted on his social media pages. </p>.<p>Hours later, Sengottaiyan was named as the Chief Co-ordinator of the 28-member high-level administrative committee of the TVK and as organisation secretary for the party in Erode, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and the Nilgiris districts. </p><p>On his part, Sengottaiyan said he would strengthen the hands of Vijay in his efforts to deliver “pure governance” in Tamil Nadu. Along with Sengottaiyan, former Puducherry BJP chief Saminathan and many others joined the TVK.</p>.Explained | How Vijay’s fledgling party got a big pre-poll boost with Sengottaiyan joining TVK .<p>Sengottaiyan will be an asset for the TVK which now lacks experienced politicians in its fold – a majority of its second-rung leaders are either novices or inexperienced politicians who never worked with the Dravidian majors. It is believed that Vijay wanted a veteran like Sengottaiyan not just to advise him but also formulate strategies for the 2026 elections. </p><p>The lack of a politically trained and experienced hand in TVK ranks was felt after the Karur stampede that killed 41 people when the party’s response was inadequate. </p>.Sengottaiyan resigns as MLA amid speculations over joining Vijay’s TVK .<p>Sengottaiyan not just brings about 50 years of his experience working with the AIADMK and taking on the DMK within and outside the Assembly but also his capability to design the election campaign. </p><p>Besides serving as MLA for nine terms first from Sathyamangalam and then from Gobichettipalayam, Sengottaiyan was also a minister in the Jayalalithaa and Palaniswami cabinets. </p>