Senior Tamil Nadu politician K.A. Sengottaiyan, once a prominent face of the AIADMK and a veteran of state politics, is reportedly facing uncertainty about his next political move amid speculation over evolving alliances in the state.

Sengottaiyan, who walked out of the AIADMK after differences with party leadership, had earlier aligned himself with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s newly formed political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), hoping his decades of political experience would find recognition in the new party. However, sources close to him suggest that things have not unfolded as he had expected.

A political veteran who has witnessed multiple phases of Tamil Nadu politics, Sengottaiyan has been associated with the AIADMK since its founding by M.G. Ramachandran in 1972. He enjoyed a place in the inner circle during the MGR era and later served in the cabinet of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Over the years, Sengottaiyan was elected nine times to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly — once from Sathyamangalam and eight times from Gobichettipalayam — and served in several ministerial roles. His long political journey has seen him work with three generations of political leadership in the state.

Despite sharing the same community background as former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Sengottaiyan’s relationship with the AIADMK leadership gradually deteriorated. Those familiar with the developments say the friction began when Sengottaiyan felt his seniority and experience were not adequately acknowledged within the party. On the other hand, there were concerns in the leadership that giving him greater prominence could create internal power equations.

As the rift widened, Sengottaiyan eventually decided to leave the AIADMK and explore political opportunities elsewhere. His move to Vijay’s TVK was seen as an attempt to remain politically active while contributing his experience to a new political formation.

However, insiders claim that Sengottaiyan has struggled to find a significant role within the party structure. Decision-making within the organisation is said to revolve around a close group of leaders, leaving little room for the veteran politician to assert influence.

The situation has reportedly become more complicated amid political speculation that Vijay’s party could align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the run-up to future electoral battles. Such a move could potentially bring TVK closer to the AIADMK, a scenario that may place Sengottaiyan in an awkward position given his past differences with the party’s current leadership.

Political observers say that if such an alliance materialises, Sengottaiyan may reconsider his political options. Some of his associates believe he could even take an unexpected route, similar to former AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam’s shifting political strategy, and explore the possibility of aligning with the DMK.

While no formal decision has been announced, the developments have sparked intense discussion within Tamil Nadu’s political circles about the veteran leader’s next move.

For now, much appears to hinge on Vijay’s strategic decisions regarding alliances — choices that could reshape equations not only within his party but also across the broader political landscape of Tamil Nadu.