AIADMK Veteran Sengottaiyan Set to Join Vijay's TVK Amid Assembly Elections

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In a significant development, former Tamil Nadu minister KA Sengottaiyan is reportedly set to join actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on November 27, ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The 77-year-old veteran leader, who was recently expelled from the AIADMK by Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), has been in talks with TVK for some time. Sengottaiyan's move comes after he was sacked by EPS on October 31, a day after he met with the expelled trio of O Panneerselvam (OPS), TTV Dhinakaran, and VK Sasikala, and pushed for the unification of all AIADMK factions. A key figure in the AIADMK since its founding days by MG Ramachandran, Sengottaiyan has been a nine-term legislator and has been with the party for over 50 years. His joining of TVK is seen as a boost for the fledgling party, which lacks seasoned politicians. TVK's recent rally in Karur district turned tragic, with 41 people losing their lives in a stampede. The party's lack of experience was evident in its handling of the situation, with Vijay releasing a video message three days after the incident and meeting with grieving families a month later. Sources close to Sengottaiyan confirm that the talks between him and TVK are in an advanced stage, with his supporters from the dominant Gounder community in the western region of Tamil Nadu also likely to join him. Sengottaiyan's supporters from Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, who resigned when he was removed from all party posts, are also expected to join TVK with him. The BJP-AIADMK alliance has been trying to rope Vijay into the NDA fold, while TVK has positioned itself as the main opposition to the ruling DMK and the ideological opponent of the BJP. Sengottaiyan's joining of TVK is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party ahead of the assembly elections. When asked about joining TVK, Sengottaiyan evaded the question, stating that everyone knows how he was punished and expressing his pain at being treated unfairly by the AIADMK. The development is likely to have significant implications for the political landscape of Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.