K A Sengottaiyan secures ninth victory, strengthens Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s impressive debut in Tamil Nadu.
May 5, 2026: Veteran leader K A Sengottaiyan has scripted yet another electoral success, winning the Gobichettipalayam seat for the ninth time, this time on a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam ticket. The victory marks a significant milestone in his long political career, especially as it comes after his recent exit from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Born in 1948, Sengottaiyan is among Tamil Nadu’s most seasoned politicians, first elected in 1977. A close aide of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, he held several key ministerial roles, including the education portfolio. After being expelled from AIADMK in 2025, he joined TVK and quickly emerged as a senior strategist within the party.
Despite switching parties, Sengottaiyan maintained his stronghold, defeating N Nallasivam of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam by over 16,000 votes. His win adds to TVK’s remarkable performance, with the party emerging as the single-largest in the state. The election also saw a major upset as M K Stalin lost the Kolathur seat, highlighting a dramatic shift in Tamil Nadu politics.