Chennai: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has been thrown into its worst internal crisis in years after party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) removed senior leader KA Sengottaiyan from all party posts. The dramatic move comes just one day after Sengottaiyan’s ten-day ultimatum for the party leadership to reinstate expelled members expired, triggering mass resignations and open rebellion within the opposition party.
The crisis began when Sengottaiyan, a veteran leader and former minister, publicly demanded the readmission of former party leaders including O. Panneerselvam (OPS), V.K. Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran, arguing that only a unified AIADMK could challenge the ruling DMK in the 2026 assembly elections. His deadline for action passed without compliance from the leadership, prompting EPS to take disciplinary action against him instead.
Mass Resignations and Rebellion Rock Party Ranks
The removal of Sengottaiyan has sparked immediate backlash from within the party’s ranks. In a significant show of dissent, over 1,500 AIADMK functionaries from the Gopichettipalayam assembly constituency alone have submitted their resignations in protest. The group includes former MP Sathiyabama and numerous district-level office bearers, indicating substantial support for Sengottaiyan’s position within certain factions of the party.
This mass resignation represents the most significant challenge to EPS’s authority since he consolidated control of the party following years of internal strife that began after former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s death. That previous period of instability had even led to the temporary freezing of the party’s iconic “Two Leaves” symbol by the Election Commission, and many fear the current crisis could similarly weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
Delhi Visit and Political Manoeuvring Suggest Larger Realignment
In a development that has heightened political tensions, Sengottaiyan abruptly departed for Delhi shortly after his removal, fuelling speculation about his next moves. While no official agenda has been announced, political observers suggest he is likely to meet with top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who have been seeking to stabilize their alliance in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP, which views a strong AIADMK as crucial to building an effective opposition front against the DMK, has reportedly been concerned about the party’s continued internal fractures. Their intervention attempts come at a particularly sensitive time, with TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK having already exited the National Democratic Alliance and other potential partners like the PMK and DMDK remaining non-committal about future alliances. Sengottaiyan’s supporters have hinted that he will make a significant announcement soon that could dramatically alter Tamil Nadu’s political landscape and challenge EPS’s leadership more directly.