Allegations of DMK Alignment
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, accused expelled AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan of never speaking against the DMK in the State Assembly or in public forums. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with party functionaries in Salem on November 1, 2025, Palaniswami highlighted what he described as Sengottaiyan’s six-month-long anti-party behavior.
Athikadavu-Avinashi Project Delays
Palaniswami emphasized that during the AIADMK tenure, approximately 85% of the Athikadavu-Avinashi water diversion project — designed to supply surplus water from the Bhavani River to waterbodies across Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore — had been completed. However, after the DMK assumed power, he claimed, project progress slowed significantly, with completion delayed by three years.
Controversy Over Public Functions
Palaniswami recalled an incident involving a farmers’ felicitation event. According to him, Sengottaiyan refused to attend, citing the absence of photographs of former Chief Ministers Jayalalithaa and M.G. Ramachandran in the event invitations. Palaniswami argued that nearly 30% of lakes in Sengottaiyan’s Gobichettipalayam constituency had benefited from the project, yet Sengottaiyan abstained.
Further, he alleged that Sengottaiyan distributed free bicycles to schoolchildren at a function displaying images of former DMK leaders M. Karunanidhi and M.K. Stalin, which Palaniswami described as evidence of “DMK B-team work.” The former Chief Minister noted that AIADMK cadres celebrated Sengottaiyan’s expulsion in his constituency, claiming this indicated his lack of dedication to the party.
Reintegration of Expelled Leaders
Addressing Sengottaiyan’s push to reinstate expelled AIADMK leaders, including O. Panneerselvam, Palaniswami noted that Panneerselvam’s expulsion had the backing of 2,500 general council members. Since Sengottaiyan aligned with these leaders, Palaniswami stated, the party decided to expel him as well.
Reflecting on past party decisions, he noted that even under Jayalalithaa, Sengottaiyan had been removed from ministerial and district secretary roles. Upon Palaniswami’s rise as Chief Minister in 2017, Sengottaiyan was reinstated but allegedly never criticized the DMK publicly. Palaniswami also referenced a 20-minute meeting Sengottaiyan held with CM M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat last year as evidence of his alignment.
Allegations Against T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Anti-Party Activities
Palaniswami showcased video clips of AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who claimed to communicate with Sengottaiyan. He alleged that Dhinakaran, expelled by Jayalalithaa for anti-party actions, tried to influence AIADMK politics posthumously. Palaniswami reiterated his loyalty to Jayalalithaa’s directives, claiming his role as general secretary was legitimized by courts, the Election Commission, and the media.
He further accused Sengottaiyan, Panneerselvam, and Dhinakaran of forming a “DMK B-team” ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, alleging attempts by Dhinakaran to destabilize the AIADMK government using 18 MLAs.
On Kodanad Heist Allegations
Responding to Sengottaiyan’s criticism regarding the Kodanad heist-cum-murder case of 2017, Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK had acted in accordance with legal procedures.
Upcoming District Secretaries Meeting
In a related update, AIADMK announced that district unit secretaries will convene at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the party headquarters in Chennai to discuss ongoing party matters.
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