K.A. Sengottaiyan Joins Vijay’s TVK Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Elections

In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, veteran AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan on Wednesday resigned as MLA of the Gobichettipalayam constituency and later met actor-politician Vijay at the Tamil Nadu Makkal Katchi (TVK) office in Chennai. The 77-year-old leader joined Vijay's party on November 27.

Sengottaiyan, a nine-term legislator and one of the oldest surviving leaders from the MG Ramachandran (MGR) era, submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker M. Appavu at the Secretariat earlier in the day. His exit marks one of the most significant defections from the AIADMK in recent years.

A day earlier, he had hinted at internal pain rather than confirming any political move,"I've worked in the party for 50 years through its ups and downs. And I'm nobody in the party now. You must know my pain."

Expulsion After Meeting OPS, Sasikala and Dhinakaran

Sengottaiyan was expelled from the AIADMK on October 31 by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). The action came a day after Sengottaiyan met with expelled leaders O. Panneerselvam (OPS), T.T.V. Dhinakaran, and V.K. Sasikala, pushing for the reunification of all AIADMK factions-a proposal EPS firmly rejected.

EPS accused him of acting against the party's principles, especially after Sengottaiyan had already been removed from all party posts in September for calling for the return of OPS and Sasikala. Despite the earlier disciplinary action, Sengottaiyan had continued as an MLA until now.

Strong Support Base in the Western Belt

Hailing from the influential Gounder community in western Tamil Nadu, Sengottaiyan has long held sway in Erode and the Kongu belt-one of the AIADMK's traditional strongholds. A TVK member told this publication that several of Sengottaiyan's supporters in Gobichettipalayam who resigned from district-level AIADMK posts after his expulsion are also likely to join TVK with him.

This makes his potential entry into Vijay's political camp particularly significant, giving TVK immediate grassroots strength in key western districts.

Second MLA to Resign Ahead of Elections

Sengottaiyan becomes the second MLA in recent months to resign from the Assembly to join another party before the 2026 polls. Earlier, expelled AIADMK MLA Manoj Pandian, a close OPS loyalist, resigned and joined the ruling DMK.

These resignations highlight the growing churn within the AIADMK, once considered a tightly controlled cadre-based party.

In September, days before his expulsion from party posts, Sengottaiyan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and reportedly pushed for the reunification of the AIADMK factions. EPS viewed this as an act of defiance and subsequently stripped him of all responsibilities. The final blow came on October 31, when he was expelled completely.

Assembly Strength to Fall to 230

With Sengottaiyan's resignation, the Tamil Nadu Assembly may see its strength fall to 230 seats, marking the fourth vacancy in the current term.

In June, AIADMK's T.K. Amulkandasamy (Valparai) died, dropping the strength from 234 to 233.

On October 23, DMK's K. Ponnusamy (Senthamangalam) died, reducing it to 232.

On November 4, P. Manoj Pandian resigned, bringing the count to 231.

With Sengottaiyan's exit, it may fall further to 230, with AIADMK's strength now reduced to 63 MLAs.

These shifts will be reflected when the upcoming Assembly session begins with the Governor's address.

TVK Entry Almost Certain

With Sengottaiyan meeting Vijay hours after submitting his resignation, political observers say his entry into TVK is all but confirmed. His decades-long political experience and influence in the Kongu belt are expected to significantly bolster Vijay's party as it prepares for its first Assembly election battle in 2026.

With the political landscape shifting rapidly, all eyes are now on November 27 the likely day Sengottaiyan officially joins TVK - a move that could reshape alliances and voter dynamics across Tamil Nadu.

With Sengottaiyan officially joining TVK, the development could reshape political dynamics in western Tamil Nadu. His stronghold in the Kongu region has long been a key asset for AIADMK. His shift to Vijay's camp could dent AIADMK's prospects and energize TVK ahead of its first major electoral battle.

For now, the political circles in Tamil Nadu are watching closely as Sengottaiyan prepares to make his next move. His decision is set to play a crucial role in defining alliances, voter loyalties, and the overall political landscape leading into the 2026 elections.