Senior AIADMK leader Sengottaiyan gives EPS 10-day ultimatum to reinduct Sasikala and OPS

ERODE: In a dramatic escalation of internal tensions, senior AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan has publicly issued a ten-day ultimatum to party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), demanding the immediate readmission of all leaders who have left the party. 

" If Edappadi K Palaniswami fails to initiate steps to unite party & induct expelled leaders in 10 days, we will unite like-minded people & take steps to unite the party & induct them," Sengottaiyan said.Speaking at a press conference at the AIADMK office in Gopichettipalayam on Friday, an visibly angry Sengottaiyan stated that the party's victory in the fast-approaching Assembly elections is impossible without a unified front.

Sengottaiyan expressed his deep frustration, alleging that EPS is "not in the mood to accept our views." He revealed that he, along with six other senior party leaders, had continuously urged Palaniswami to integrate those who had departed, emphasizing that the exiled leaders have no conditions and are simply requesting to be accepted back into the fold. He argued that success can only be achieved if the AIADMK heals its internal rifts and unites.

A Veteran's Plea and a Direct Threat

Lending weight to his demand, Sengottaiyan recounted his long and storied history with the party, dating back to its founding by M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in 1972. "I started my party work as a branch secretary... I have made various sacrifices so that the AIADMK does not break up," he declared, reminding everyone of his role in advocating for J. Jayalalithaa to lead the party after MGR's passing.

While he pointedly did not name specific leaders like O. Panneerselvam (OPS), T.T.V. Dhinakaran, or V.K. Sasikala, he stressed that the readmission of those who "held key positions" was crucial. He stated that the choice of whom to re-induct ultimately rests with the general secretary but insisted that concrete steps must be initiated within the next ten days, with detailed talks to follow.

The senior leader concluded with a direct threat, signalling a potential rebellion. He announced that if the leadership fails to make an effort to integrate the former members, he and other like-minded leaders who support this move will "come together and complete it themselves," setting the stage for a significant confrontation within the beleaguered party.