Tamil Nadu: Who is KA Sengottaiyan? Why AIADMK removed him from all party posts?

The AIADMK, on Saturday, removed senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan from all party posts.

 

The party, in a brief statement, said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has removed Sengottaiyan from the posts of the (state) organisation secretary and Erode rural west district secretary.

 

The action comes after Sengottaiyan set an ultimatum to Palaniswami to take steps to bring about a unification among the expelled leaders within ten days. 

 

He had called upon Palaniswami to "bring back" into the party fold all those who left AIADMK and face the Assembly election as a unified force.

 

The MLA from Gobichettipalayam constituency in Erode district claimed that it was ousted interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala, who endorsed Palaniswami as the chief ministerial candidate in the past.

 

"If Palaniwami fails to initiate steps to bring about unity in the AIADMK in ten days, then we will unite all like-minded people and ensure the party gets strengthened," the former minister had said.

 

Reacting to the party decision, Sengottaiyan said he never expected the removal from the party posts and termed the action "undemocratic."

 

He also said that he would continue his efforts to unite the expelled leaders with the party.

 

Who is  Sengottaiyan

 

Sengottaiyan served as an MLA since 1977 in the Tamil Nadu assembly, making him one of the longest-serving members. He represented Gobichettipalayam constituency for multiple terms, beginning in 1980.

 

He held various portfolios, including Transport, Agriculture, and School Education, as well as Information Technology, in various governments formed by AIADMK.

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