MAYILADUTHURAI: The AIADMK’s Kuthalam North Union Secretary V G K Senthilnathan from Mayiladuthurai resigned on Tuesday, alleging denial of recognition for long-time party workers and accusing senior leaders, O S Manian and district secretary S Pounraj, of acting against the party’s electoral interests.
Addressing reporters, he said, “Despite working for 35 years in the party, I have not been given due recognition, and former minister O S Manian and district secretary S Pounraj have been acting together and fielding candidates in Delta districts who would face defeat, with the intention of keeping Edappadi K Palaniswami from becoming the chief minister.”
Senthilnathan said he comes from a traditional AIADMK family, with his father having served the party since 1972. He said, “My political journey began at 18 as a branch secretary. In 2021, I was appointed as the first district secretary of Mayiladuthurai but was removed within six months despite no allegations.”
He claimed that he was later reassigned as Kuthalam North Union Secretary and expected the Mayiladuthurai constituency would be given to an AIADMK candidate, but expressed disappointment after the seat was allotted to alliance partner PMK. “Senior functionaries have been pushed aside, and people like me, in whose veins AIADMK blood flows, are being disrespected without proper recognition,” he said.
Speaking to TNIE, Manian denied all the allegations, stating, “Senthilnathan says he has been denied a seat and was sidelined, whereas, the authority to allocate seats lies only in the hands of general secretary Palaniswami.”