Chennai: The factional turmoil within the AIADMK has intensified as expelled senior leader and Gopichettipalayam MLA, K.A. Sengottaiyan, formally petitioned the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging it to expedite the pending ‘Two Leaves’ symbol case and disputing the legitimacy of the party leadership under Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
In his letter, Sengottaiyan argued that the current faction led by EPS is “not the original AIADMK” and has requested more time from the Commission to prove his claim. He has asked that his petition be heard alongside other existing petitions concerning the party’s symbol and leadership.
AIADMK in Crisis: Deepening Political Schism
This legal move marks a significant escalation in the internal conflict that has been brewing within the AIADMK. As Tamil Nadu’s political landscape gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, the party’s internal disunity has become a major point of concern for its supporters, who see a consolidated opposition as the only viable path to challenge the ruling DMK.
The crisis reached a tipping point following the Thevar Jayanti festival on October 30. Sengottaiyan was seen alongside former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) and AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran at the event in Pasumpon. His subsequent meeting with V.K. Sasikala, the former aide of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, sent shockwaves through the AIADMK leadership.
The Expulsion and Its Aftermath
In a swift response, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami expelled Sengottaiyan from the party’s primary membership, citing “anti-party activities.” This expulsion came after EPS had previously given Sengottaiyan a 10-day window to explain his actions, a deadline that passed without any resolution.
Following his expulsion, Sengottaiyan had announced his intention to challenge the decision in court. His letter to the ECI is his first major strategic countermove, directly targeting the party’s most significant asset—the ‘Two Leaves’ election symbol.
The political future of Sengottaiyan, and the potential for a formal alliance between the OPS, Dhinakaran, and Sasikala camps, now hinges on the ECI’s response and the ongoing legal battles, setting the stage for a protracted war for the soul of the AIADMK.