AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami being welcomed by party functionaries in Gobichettipalayam in Erode district in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: M. Govarthan
AIADMK cadre turned up in large numbers to welcome the party’s general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami in Gobichettipalayam, the home turf of rebel leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) morning. He was en route to the Nilgiris for his Makkalai Kaappom, Tamizhagathai Meetpom campaign.
This was his first visit to the constituency after the removal of Mr. Sengottaiyan, who is the Gobichettipalayam MLA, from his posts of organisation secretary and secretary of the Erode Suburban (West) district unit of the party. Mr. Sengottaiyan had been removed following his ultimatum to the party leadership on September 5 to initiate steps to readmit those who had left the AIADMK.
During Mr. Palaniswami’s previous visit on July 7, when he was travelling to Mettupalayam to launch the Statewide campaign, Mr. Sengottaiyan, then district unit secretary, had refrained from extending a reception, reportedly in dissent against the leadership, though he did not voice it openly.
Supporters greet Mr. Palaniswami in Gobichettipalayam
| Photo Credit:
M. Govarthan
On Tuesday, Mr. Palaniswami arrived in Gobichettipalayam at 7.15 a.m. and was received by former Minister K.C. Karuppannan, Perundurai MLA S. Jayakumar, and the newly appointed district secretary A.K. Selvaraj. Mr. Sengottaiyan was away in Chennai.
Over 2,000 supporters gathered near the bus stand to greet the leader. Mr. Palaniswami later proceeded to Sathyamangalam, where he was welcomed by Bhavanisagar MLA A. Bannari, before leaving for the Nilgiris.
Published – September 23, 2025 12:33 pm IST
