Rift out in open: 'Don’t test me,' says Sengottaiyan; EPS reincarnation of MGR and Jayalalithaa, retorts AIADMK

Chennai: Ruptures within the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu’s principal Opposition party, came out wide open on Thursday with a senior leader terming Edappadi K Palaniswami as the “reincarnation” of M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, in an apparent dig at veteran K A Sengottaiyan who “boycotted” an event felicitating the party’s general secretary.

Sengottaiyan, an influential leader from western Tamil Nadu from where Palaniswami also hails, had on February 9 stayed away from the event after taking objection to the absence of the portraits of MGR and Jayalalithaa in the invitation and banners erected for the function.

After his actions led to a storm, Sengottaiyan kept up the suspense in his speech at an event on Wednesday that nobody “should test me”, which is being interpreted as a message to the AIADMK’s current leadership not to make light of his unflinching loyalty to the 52-year-old party.

“Though I got many opportunities, I always put the party’s unity above everything. I have always been loyal to the AIADMK. My only request is don’t test me,” he said.

Sengottaiyan coming out in the open against the leadership was surprising as he is known for his soft-spoken and non-rebellious nature.

‘Indirect response to Sengottaiyan’

On Thursday, AIADMK deputy floor leader in the Assembly R B Udhayakumar posted a video in which he effused lavish praise on Palaniswami for keeping the party united and running the government for four years after the death of Jayalalithaa in 2016.

“Palaniswami reclaimed the party after Jayalalithaa’s death and continues to be an unshakeable force in Tamil Nadu politics. He takes along everyone in the party and he is the reincarnation of MGR and Jayalalithaa. It is due to the grace of god that he (EPS) leads the party today,” Udhayakumar said.

Udhayakumar’s statement, ostensibly to announce the party’s public outreach programs in all organisational districts, is clearly aimed at sending a message to Sengottaiyan, who is now an eighth-term MLA, and reasserting Palaniswami’s hold over the party. The statement also said “traitors” can never win over the AIADMK and that the party will not be affected by their actions as it continues to be “protected” by people.

The latest developments bring to the fore the simmering differences among senior leaders of the AIADMK over the way Palaniswami has been running the party ever since he was named as the general secretary by the General Council in July 2022 following the expulsion of O Panneerselvam. And, the party hasn’t registered a victory in any election held since 2016.

The importance of Sengottaiyan

Sengottaiyan, who had worked closely with MGR and credited by Jayalalithaa for his organisational skills, especially drafting her election campaign plan, also hails from the influential Gounder community much like Palaniswami. In fact, Sengottaiyan was also one of the front-runners for the CM’s post when V K Sasikala had to step aside and declare a new AIADMK legislature party leader after her conviction in a corruption case and is a senior to Palaniswami in the party.

Though Sengottaiyan has been upset with Palaniswami’s functioning for a long time, the reason for him to express his displeasure, albeit indirectly, spawns from the AIADMK’s decision to boycott the by-polls to Erode (east) constituency. Sengottaiyan and other leaders in Erode district wanted the party to contest the polls, but Palaniswami decided not to.

‘AIADMK should set its house in order’

Political analyst Maalan Narayanan told DH that Sengottaiyan’s actions show nothing but the reluctance among senior leaders of the AIADMK in endorsing Palaniswami’s efforts to project him as the “undisputed leader of the party.”

“These leaders who had worked with Jayalalithaa aren’t able to accept the cult image that supporters of Palaniswami attempt at building for him. The statement by Udhayakumar shows Palaniswami doesn’t want to pacify Sengottaiyan. Handling seniors in the party is an art and Palaniswami hasn’t mastered it,” Maalan added.

If Palaniswami continues to behave his way or highway, more leaders might come out and speak against him, Maalan said, and stressed that the AIADMK should set its house in order to fight the 2026 elections which is likely to be a multi-cornered contest.

“Palaniswami should also closely watch the developments in actor Vijay’s camp as his actions show that he wants to take the AIADMK’s place in opposing the DMK. It is now clear that Vijay is taking the 2026 elections seriously and that he wants a strategist outside the state – Prashant Kishor – who has previously worked with the DMK shows his intent,” Maalan said.