ERODE: The political discourse in the Gobichettipalayam Assembly constituency in Erode district centres almost entirely on TVK's Chief Coordinator and its candidate KA Sengottaiyan.
TVK party cadres claim that their party will pose a strong challenge to the two major Dravidian parties, thanks to its dual support base: young, enthusiastic Vijay fans and experienced seniors who are supporters of Sengottaiyan.
"We believe this combination will help the TVK to pose a threat to the DMK and the AIADMK," said S Gobinath (20) a fresh voter at Puthukaraipudur.
However, AIADMK workers claim Sengottaiyan who has built a strong charisma around the AIADMK's two-leaf symbol will not be able to destroy or weaken his former party easily. DMK men, on the other hand, say that the splitting of Sengottaiyan's support votes between both sides will actually work in their favour.
A long-time AIADMK strongman and nine-time MLA with deep roots in the Kongu region, Sengottaiyan has dominated this seat for decades through personal loyalty, community support, and consistent development work. The constituency has been an AIADMK bastion since 1971 due to his influence.
In late 2025, he joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor Vijay after he was expelled from the AIADMK. Soon, he resigned as the MLA. This time too he has been in the fray from Gobichettipalayam on the TVK ticket (whistle symbol), aiming for what could be another strong performance.
This shift has transformed the contest into a test of personal charisma, which he has, and the loyalty to the party symbol which he has nurtured in the limited time.
On Thursday Sengottaiyan cast his vote at his native place, Kullampalayam. He expressed confidence in Vijay's vision to transform Tamil Nadu and reiterated his commitment to making Gobichettipalayam prosperous, including pushing for the bifurcation of Erode district.
"It's natural for those who have eaten the same food to try something new. Similarly, people are looking forward to the arrival of the TVK. Our leader stepped into politics casting aside a Rs 1,000 crore business for the welfare of the state. Now the young themselves are urging their parents to support Vijay. Such a change has not been witnessed in Tamil Nadu and in my political career. He will definitely bring about a change and that is what the young generation expects," Sengottaiyan told TNIE.
The AIADMK has fielded a new face, VB Prabhu, to challenge Sengottaiyan. The DMK candidate is its Erode district secretary N Nallasivam.