EPS justifies 'betrayer' Sengottaiyan's expulsion

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday launched a sharp attack on expelled party veteran K.A. Sengottaiyan, branding him a “betrayer” and “selfish” for acting against the organisation that, he said, had given him identity and stature. Addressing a massive rally in Gobichettipalayam—Sengottaiyan’s home turf—Palaniswami strongly defended the decision to expel the nine-time MLA, days after the leader joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK would retain the Gobichettipalayam seat in the next Assembly elections and questioned whether Sengottaiyan had even consulted the people before resigning as MLA. While extending a customary “Engirunthalum Vazhga” (Do well, wherever you are), he said the situation would not have escalated had the expelled leader remained quiet.
Recalling their past tenure, Palaniswami dismissed Sengottaiyan’s claim that TVK would offer a “pure government,” asking whether AIADMK had not provided clean governance earlier. He accused Sengottaiyan of frequently acting against party interests, citing his boycott of the Athikadavu Avinashi project event and his alleged ultimatums on reinstating other expelled leaders.He stressed that the party had shown patience despite Sengottaiyan meeting rival leaders, including O. Panneerselvam. Ultimately, he said, the repeated acts of disloyalty left the party with no choice but expulsion.Palaniswami expressed confidence that the AIADMK would win the 2026 Assembly elections, promising that the first victory celebration would take place in Gobichettipalayam. Asserting that the party would overcome internal challenges, he said the large turnout at the rally had “shattered the dreams” of Sengottaiyan and reaffirmed AIADMK’s strength in the region.