Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: The Leader Matters, Not the Candidate, says KA Sengottaiyan

KA Sengottaiyan is a veteran Tamil Nadu politician and former AIADMK minister from the Kongu region. A long-time AIADMK strongman in western Tamil Nadu, he was expelled from the party amid internal tensions in 2025. He subsequently joined Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, where he holds senior organisational responsibilities, including as organisation secretary and as chief coordinator of the party’s high-level administrative committee.

AIADMK seems confident in many Coimbatore district constituencies, including Mettupalayam. TVK’s candidate N Sunil Anand is a newcomer, contesting against veteran and former MLA OK Chinnaraj. What are your party’s prospects in this constituency?

On the one hand, DMK stands fractured, with an aspirant contesting as an independent now. As for AIADMK, why hasn’t the district secretary and sitting MLA AK Selvara been fielded? That’s the question. If he had contested, he would likely have won here. Why is he staying silent and stepping aside? That’s one issue. Second, he Edappadi Palaniswami has no winning record here—sorry, he hasn’t won even once despite coming several times. So his chances aren’t bright. On the other hand, our bright chances rest with the one true leader in Tamil Nadu—Mr Vijay, our Thalapathi.

The Kongu region is known for strong caste-based voting. Can Vijay break that pattern?

Generally, people want change. After 50 years, after leaders like MGR and Amma, a new leader has emerged who can bring change and defeat the DMK. He has left behind all his privileges and is now stepping out across Tamil Nadu for the first time. Youth, young women, educated people, intellectuals, industrialists, farmers, workers—everyone is accepting him. Wherever he goes, lakhs of people gather. These are not crowds brought with money. DMK and AIADMK gather crowds with money, but this is not that kind of crowd.

TVK has fielded candidates who are not even well known locally. So how do you appeal to people?

It’s the same situation as when MGR was there—he fielded many unknown candidates, yet he came to power. The candidate is secondary; leadership is what matters. When people have affection for the leader, they don’t worry about who the candidate is. The candidate is not important—he (the leader) is everything. So victory is already decided. 

Aren’t you campaigning in your constituency, Gobichettipalayam?

I’ve been going to other constituencies. I’ll campaign there just for one day. People will give a good verdict. No need to worry. AIADMK can’t even come close. The party leadership in my district is disgruntled. So many people haven’t been given space. Ramalingam, the district secretary and former minister—no ticket. Pennarasu—no ticket. Whoever someone prefers gets the ticket. Take this example: AK Selvaraj is currently the district secretary here. Why wasn’t he given a seat? Instead, it was given to Chinnaraj. 

Is TVK able to appeal to rural voters?

Urban voting isn’t very different. It’s not just urban people who are educated—almost everyone is now educated. About 95%. All of them want change in Tamil Nadu. After 50 years, they want a young leader who can take the state forward honestly. He has come at the right time. So he will win. He is in everyone’s hearts.