Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai

Chennai, Nov 27: In a major political shift ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, senior leader and nine-time MLA K.A. Sengottaiyan on Thursday formally joined actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), just a day after resigning as MLA from the Gobichettipalayam constituency.

Sengottaiyan’s entry is regarded as one of the most high-profile inductions into TVK since its inception, significantly strengthening the party’s organisational depth and political reach. On Wednesday, he tendered his resignation to Assembly Speaker M. Appavu at the Secretariat, ending decades of association with the AIADMK.

The veteran leader had openly rebelled against AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on September 5, urging him to reinstate expelled leaders including former chief minister O. Panneerselvam, TTV Dhinakaran and V.K. Sasikala. He insisted that only a united AIADMK could hope to avoid further electoral setbacks. His remarks, however, led to his immediate removal from all party posts.

Sengottaiyan had condemned his expulsion as arbitrary and unconstitutional, accusing EPS of abandoning the founding principles of the party and running the organisation in an authoritarian manner.

With his formal switch to TVK, political observers believe Vijay’s party has gained a substantial boost in credibility and cadre strength as the state moves closer to a crucial election season.