Sengottaiyan’s entry into TVK may not affect AIADMK but benefit Vijay: experts

The exit of former School Education Minister and veteran leader from Erode K.A. Sengottaiyan from the AIADMK and his entry into the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) would not adversely affect the Dravidian major but his presence in the fledgling party, led by actor Vijay, may turn out to be highly valuable, according to a cross-section of political leaders and observers.  

Asserting that the latest development would not have any impact on his party in western districts of the State, former Member of Parliament (MP) from Salem, S. Semmalai, who was the Minister for Health and Education during 2001-04 when Jayalalithaa and O. Panneerselvam were Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers, contends that Mr. Sengottaiyan is not a “mass leader.” As a result, there will be “no erosion of our vote base,” Mr. Semmalai observes.  

Elaborating further, the former Minister says, “our party is like a good old tree. So, it is natural that there will be withered leaves and branches. Either they themselves will drop off or will have to be cut.”    

Claiming the AIADMK is a “cadre-based party,” Mr. Semmalai argues that the organisation’s strength is not dependent upon individuals. More than anything else, his former colleague’s entry into the TVK will only clear the AIADMK of any confusion that he had sought to create till recently, the former MP adds.  

Another seasoned leader from the north, who represented the Dravidian major a few times in the Assembly, acknowledges that the AIADMK is not going to witness “any exodus” on account of Mr. Sengottaiyan’s decision but the morale of the party’s cadre is likely to be hit as the workers may become anxious over the future of the organisation.

An academician, who was part of several opinion polls held in the State as part of all-India projects, says that by inducting Mr. Sengottaiyan, the TVK has addressed the major flaw in its functioning as it did not have, till now, any political leader with a long track-record in election management. That way, it is a “gain” for Mr. Vijay and his party, the academician adds.