"Sengottaiyan's personal interests larger than party's interests": AIADMK on expelled leader joining TVK

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 27 (ANI): KA Sengottaiyan's personal interests have become larger than AIADMK's interests, and he has clearly disowned the party and the symbol which gave him recognition, party's spokesperson Kovai Sathyan alleged on Thursday, shortly after Sengottaiyan joined Tamila Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in presence of party chief Vijay.
"Men may come, and men may go, but the party stays on forever. Sengottaiyan is all but one representatives out of 234 constituencies. His representation stems out of two leave symbol and AIADMK. His personal interests have become larger than the party's interests. His personal welfare has become larger than party's welfare, so he chose to move forward with another party, which clearly indicates that he has clearly disowned the party and symbol which gave him recognition," the AIADMK spokesperson said in a self-made video.
He said that before the party had shouldered the responsibility of giving him recognition, but now the responsibility lies with TVK, and wishing them luck for that.
"No individual is bigger than the party, its symbol or the ideology. It doesn't cost us much. Now the larger liability of carrying him on the shoulder have moved to TVK, good luck for TVK," he said in the video.
Expelled AIADMK leader and nine time MLA KA Sengottaiyan joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) along with his supporters on Thursday, a day after resigning as Gobichettipalayam MLA.
Earlier, Sengottaiyan supporters gathered outside the TVK office to welcome their leader to the party. TVK General Secretary N Anand welcomed the supporters who had travelled from Gobichettipalayam.
Sengottaiyan holds sway in Erode district, having being elected from his home constituency around nine times. With just over 7 months left for the Assembly elections set to happen in 2026, him joining the TVK could sway the winds in favour of TVK in Erode. He met with TVK chief Vijay following his resignation as MLA earlier on Wednesday too.
KA Sengottaiyan resigned as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) on November 26 amid speculation of him joining TVK. He had been expelled from AIADMK in October after being accused of maintaining contact with individuals who had previously been expelled from the party, which violated party discipline and brought disrepute to the organisation.
Following his expulsion, Sengottaiyan had announced that he would approach the court to challenge the way he had been dismissed from the party. He also alleged that AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is acting as a dictator in the party.
However, AIADMK General Secretary has maintained that his decision was made in accordance with the law. He questioned how the AIADMK could remain silent when someone weakens the party.
When the AIADMK split into the Janaki and Jayalalithaa faction, Sengottaiyan had supported the latter group, contesting with the 'Rooster' symbol and winning his home constituency. He was well known for planning the campaign tour schedules of the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
His resignation comes with just 7 months left for the assembly elections set to happen on 2026. While he holds sway in the Erode district, him shifting the party could get gains for TVK in the region. (ANI)