As AIADMK Celebrates MGR’s 108th Birth Anniversary, Focus on Discontented Leader's Future
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Synopsis
As the AIADMK commemorates M.G. Ramachandran's 108th birth anniversary in Erode, K.A. Sengottaiyan's discontent within the party draws attention. Despite his absence from a recent event due to missing photographs of MGR and Jayalalithaa, Sengottaiyan clarifies his stance is rooted in respect, not rebellion.
Key Takeaways
- AIADMK celebrates MGR's 108th birthday in Anthiyur.
- K.A. Sengottaiyan expresses dissatisfaction over party matters.
- Madras High Court allows ECI's probe into AIADMK disputes.
- Sengottaiyan's absence at an event raises speculation.
- He emphasizes respect for MGR and Jayalalithaa as his motivation.
Chennai, Feb 13 (NationPress) As the AIADMK commemorates the 108th birth anniversary of its founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) at Anthiyur in Erode on Thursday, all attention is directed towards K.A. Sengottaiyan, the seasoned leader and current MLA from Gobichettipalayam.
Even though MGR's birthday is celebrated on January 17, the AIADMK has been hosting events across multiple towns in the state, with Thursday's gathering in Anthiyur being one of them. The party's senior leadership, spearheaded by Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), is intently monitoring Sengottaiyan, who has recently expressed discontent within the party.
On February 12, several local leaders and party members visited Sengottaiyan at his home in Kullampalayam, Erode. However, in a statement to the press, Sengottaiyan dismissed rumors of a faction meeting, asserting that it is common for party members to visit him.
Adding to the strain, the Madras High Court on February 12 lifted a stay order, permitting the Election Commission of India (ECI) to continue its investigation into internal disputes within the AIADMK -- a ruling interpreted as a setback for EPS.
Sengottaiyan, a significant figure within the AIADMK, who was once viewed as a potential Chief Ministerial candidate post-Jayalalithaa's passing, recently voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the absence of MGR's and Jayalalithaa's images at an AIADMK event in Coimbatore on February 9. This event was organized to honor AIADMK General Secretary EPS, but Sengottaiyan opted not to attend. On February 10, he clarified that his absence was a principled stance, not an act of rebellion.
“I decided against attending because the event's invitation and banners failed to include portraits of former Chief Ministers MGR and Jayalalithaa. There is no opposition to the party here,” he noted.
His absence has sparked speculation about possible internal strife within the AIADMK, leading to further explanations. Sengottaiyan mentioned that the organizing committee contacted him three days before the event, but he only recognized the missing images once the banners were revealed to the public.
Reflecting on Jayalalithaa's contributions, Sengottaiyan recalled that in 2011, she allocated Rs 3.72 crore for a vital infrastructure initiative, with the then-Public Works Department Minister K.V. Ramalingam issuing directives for the survey.
“She laid the foundation for this project, yet her image was absent from the event materials,” he remarked.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Sengottaiyan insists that his position stems from a place of respect for the founding leaders of AIADMK rather than political maneuvering. A veteran in Tamil Nadu politics, Sengottaiyan first won the Sathyamangalam constituency in 1977 and has represented Gobichettipalayam in the Tamil Nadu Assembly numerous times since 1980. Over the years, he has held several key ministerial roles, including Minister for Transport (1991–1996), Minister for Agriculture (until November 2011), Minister for Information Technology (post-2011 cabinet reshuffle), and Minister for School Education under EPS.
Furthermore, he served as the AIADMK headquarters secretary (2006–2012) and continues to be a significant force within the party.
As the celebrations for MGR's 108th birth anniversary commence in Erode, AIADMK members and political analysts will be closely monitoring Sengottaiyan's forthcoming actions.
