Amid growing discord in AIADMK, allegations of collusion with BJP, DMK dispels fear of anti-incumbency on this issue
The troubles of AIADMK, the main opposition party of Tamil Nadu, are increasing continuously. Senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, party general secretary Edappadi K. Palanisamy (EPS) has directly raised questions on his working style. Sengottaiyan has given a 10-day ultimatum for the return of the expelled leaders from the party and warned that if their demands are not met, they can form a separate front with their supporters. This controversy is gaining momentum after Sengottaiyan’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi. Speculations have intensified that BJP is taking too much interest and interfering in the politics of Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK leadership believes that meeting a disgruntled party leader is a wrong policy of the BJP and amounts to a betrayal between allies.
This discord within AIADMK has come at a very opportune time for the ruling DMK. The discord within the main opposition party may help the DMK government counter the anti-incumbency wave and maintain its position in the changing political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
BJP’s main ally in Tamil Nadu and the state’s main opposition party AIADMK J. It has been scattered since the death of Jayalalitha. Edappadi K. Palanisamy (EPS), former Chief Minister O. After ousting Panneerselvam (OPS) from the party, he strengthened his hold on the organization. But now he has to face senior party leader K. A. Sengottaiyan is facing a new challenge. Sengottaiyan demanded the return of the ousted leaders from the party and by openly expressing his dissatisfaction against the current leadership, has indicated that the simmering discontent within the party has not ended yet.
Sasikala
On the open threat of Sengottaiyan, a nine-time MLA, General Secretary Palanisamy removed him from the posts of Organization Secretary and Erode Rural West District Secretary. Action was also taken against six other leaders who supported Sengottaiyan’s demand. However, no one has been expelled from the party yet. The top leadership may have maintained silence but Sengottaiyan was O. Panneerselvam and V.K. Has received support from leaders like Sasikala. Both have been looking for an opportunity to challenge Palanisamy’s dominance for a long time.
Sengottaiyan has criticized the leadership for not forging an alliance with the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His recent meeting with Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman has led to speculations that the BJP is openly interfering in AIADMK’s internal issues.
However, the party leadership did not officially react to Sengottaiyan’s meeting with BJP leaders. But people close to Palanisamy say that this step taken without bringing the high command to the notice is a violation of party discipline. Resentment towards BJP is increasing in the party because two of its leaders hosted a disgruntled leader. There are many people who see this as interference in the internal affairs of the party. Due to this incident, the market of news is hot that Sengottaiyan’s rebellion can create tension in the BJP-AIADMK alliance which has recently come back on track. After the last assembly elections, both the parties broke mutual relations. Just last April, both the parties came together again. Now due to this new development there is a danger of the old wound becoming green again.
Panneerselvam
Political analyst Babu Jayakumar believes, “AIADMK has never been a party of ideology. She has always stood around leaders, first M.G. Ramachandran, then J. Jayalalitha. After him, there was no leader of that stature. Palanisamy has strengthened his position in the last few years. As far as Sengottaiyan is concerned, he is in no position to challenge him. His sudden rebellion may have the support of ‘external forces’ but it is not possible to destabilize Palanisamy at this time.”
An AIADMK leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, tells Outlook that he suspects the BJP is behind Sengottaiyan’s ultimatum to reinstate senior leaders who have left the party. He further says, “O of Sengottaiyan’s step. Panneerselvam and V.K. Sasikala immediately welcomed. This points in that direction.”
The 2026 assembly elections are decisive for the AIADMK, as the party has faced defeat in every major election since 2019. There is a growing belief within the party that if there was an alliance with the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the results might have been better. Although the party had formed an alliance with the BJP in the 2021 assembly elections and still had to face defeat. This dilemma troubles the party and a section of the leadership blames the alliance with the BJP for the assembly defeat.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AIADMK could not win a single seat despite securing 23.3 percent vote share. The BJP-led NDA contested the elections separately and secured 18 percent votes. This is the reason why many people within the AIADMK, including dissident leader Sengottaiyan, believe that if both the parties had fought together, the results would have been different.
DMK spokesperson Prof. “The BJP knows very well that it cannot make inroads in Tamil Nadu,” Raveendran tells Outlook. About 20 percent of the voters here support neither DMK nor AIADMK. If AIADMK breaks again, BJP can think of coming into the role of main opposition, but it is not easy for it.” However, DMK is keeping a close eye on the ongoing turmoil within its main rival party. People associated with the party say that they are not too worried.
According to him, the BJP’s strategy is clear, to use the infighting in AIADMK to emerge as an alternative force in the state. Raveendran argues that Tamil Nadu’s political culture, shaped over decades by Dravidian parties, leaves little scope for an outsider to fill this void. “Even if AIADMK weakens further, BJP cannot capture its vote base,” he says.
According to experts, BJP doubts that Palanisamy alone will defeat Chief Minister M.K. Will be able to compete with Stalin. Therefore, she is advocating the reunification of former AIADMK leaders. However, many leaders have left the party and do not want to project Palanisamy as the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate.
People close to Palanisamy are confident that Sengottaiyan’s opposition will not make any difference and Palanisamy can maintain his hold on the party. He says that Palanisamy has faced many big challenges and has gradually strengthened his control over the organization. Still, there is unease about the BJP’s intentions to encourage or accommodate dissenting voices. According to party insiders, the high command is adopting a strategy of ‘wait and watch’. He is keeping a close eye on the entire incident. It remains to be seen what will be Sengottaiyan’s next step after the 10-day final warning ends and whether it will lead to widespread mobilization of leaders.
Therefore, many experts believe that BJP wants to divide the votes by creating a third or fourth angle, so that it can get the benefit of some seats and open its account in the state. Whatever may be the case, there may be upheaval before the elections next year.