The voice raised by senior AIADMK leader Sengottaiyan against the boycott of MGR Jayalalithaa’s photographs at the Athikadavu Avinasi project event has left a deep impression on AIADMK members across Tamil Nadu. Let us take a closer look at the voice raised by Sengottaiyan and the reactions of the AIADMK members to it in this news report.
Sengottaiyan, who started his political journey in the DMK started by Perarignar Anna, began his journey in the AIADMK started by MGR in 1972, accepting the leadership of MGR.
Appointed as the district secretary of the MGR Mandram of Gopi Chettipalayam, Sengottaiyan was one of those who worked hard to lead the AIADMK to the path of victory. MGR gave Sengottaiyan, who worked hard for the development of the party, the opportunity to contest from the Sathyamangalam constituency in the 1977 assembly elections.
Sengottaiyan, who made good use of the opportunity he got, defeated the candidates who contested against him and entered the assembly for the first time. Subsequently, Sengottaiyan contested and won from the Gopichettipalayam constituency in the 1980 elections and remains a symbol of that constituency to this day.
After the death of MGR, Sengottaiyan was known as one of Jayalalithaa’s most trusted confidants. Sengottaiyan used to plan for any district in the state that Jayalalithaa wanted to travel to.
He was also a master at planning Jayalalithaa’s travel plans to the point that it was said that if Sengottaiyan made a plan, he would not tamper with it.
After Jayalalithaa’s death, when Sasikala was in jail, it was this same Sengottaiyan who was at the top of the list for the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. V.K. Sasikala wanted to choose Sengottaiyan as the AIADMK Legislative Committee Chairman, citing various reasons such as being a senior leader in the AIADMK and having a long experience in the Legislative Assembly.
But considering the political situation at that time, Sengottaiyan withdrew from the contest, and Edappadi Palaniswami was elected as the Chief Minister.
Sengottaiyan has raised his voice against the neglect of the photographs of MGR Jayalalithaa, the leaders who introduced, identified and developed him at the felicitation ceremony held for Edappadi Palaniswami, claiming that he had implemented the Avinasi project. Sengottaiyan’s voice of rights has had a deep impact among AIADMK members across Tamil Nadu.
With three teams already operating separately – Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran and O. Panneerselvam – there has also been a debate as to whether Sengottaiyan is also forming a separate team in the AIADMK.
Adding to that debate, the gathering of his supporters at Sengottaiyan’s residence in Gopichettipalayam has caused consternation among the top leaders of the AIADMK.
After boycotting the Athikadavu Avinasi project event, the recent MGR birthday celebration public meeting held in Gopi Chettipalayam featured Sengottaiyan’s photo on a par with Edappadi Palaniswami’s photo, revealing that Sengottaiyan is ready to create a new rebellion in the AIADMK.
Sengottaiyan’s speech was also in line with that. Sengottaiyan, who showed what Jayalalithaa had said about him on the stage, concluded his speech by warning Edappadi Palaniswami not to test me, who has not left the AIADMK despite many opportunities.
With internal strife already raging in the AIADMK, the failure of Edappadi Palaniswami’s side to confront Sengottaiyan, who is holding the war flag high, or hold talks with him has caused dissatisfaction among senior AIADMK leaders.
While political commentators have been predicting that the AIADMK, which has split into four factions, can only defeat the DMK if it unites again and forms a strong alliance, Edappadi Palaniswami’s actions are likely to hand him his 11th consecutive defeat.
