'I am going to Ram temple': MLA K A Sengottaiyan heads to Haridwar as AIADMK rift widens; seeks peace of mind

NEW DELHI: Embattled AIADMK veteran and nine-time MLA K A Sengottaiyan has decided to visit Haridwar and pray to Lord Ram amid reports of a rift within the party.His decision came three days after he was removed from the AIADMK.Along with Sengottaiyan, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) also removed six party functionaries from the Erode rural west district. All six were known supporters of Sengottaiyan.

"I am going to Haridwar to visit the Ram temple for inner peace. What I am saying is correct, and that is why people in my party are supporting me and not commenting against me," Sengottaiyan said before leaving.The clarification came just two days after the AIADMK high command sacked him from all party posts with immediate effect. The move followed his 10-day ultimatum to the leadership to reinstate members who had earlier been expelled — a veiled reference to Sasikala, O Panneerselvam (OPS) and T T V Dhinakaran.EPS later declared that "none can break the party," while pitching for a Bharat Ratna for Thevar icon Muthuramalinga Thevar — seen as an outreach to the community after the expulsion of the trio.But the fallout has triggered a ripple effect. On Sunday, dozens of AIADMK functionaries from Sengottaiyan’s stronghold Gobichettipalayam resigned en masse, expressing solidarity.

Former Tirupur MP V Sathyabama was the first to step down, followed by hundreds of branch- and town-level leaders. Many gathered outside Sengottaiyan’s residence in a show of support.“Sacking Sengottaiyan for demanding reunification of the party was injustice. Reconciling with senior leaders who left would only strengthen AIADMK,” said K Thiruvengadam, AIADMK secretary of Periyakodiveri town panchayat, who resigned in protest.The Delhi–Haridwar trip, framed by Sengottaiyan as a quest for “peace of mind,” comes at a time when EPS is scrambling to consolidate ranks ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. Party insiders warn that the widening rift, if unchecked, could further weaken AIADMK’s chances against DMK.