Former Minister Sengottaiyan reiterates call for AIADMK unity in Tamil Nadu as ‘deadline’ ends

Reiterating his call for a unified All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), former Minister and Gobichettipalayam MLA K.A. Sengottaiyan on Monday (Septmber 15, 2025) said the views he expressed on September 5, 2025, were intended to strengthen the movement and ensure that former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s rule flourishes once again in Tamil Nadu. He claimed that the response to his remarks had been encouraging.

On September 5, he set a 10-day deadline for the party leadership to take steps towards readmitting those who had left the AIADMK. The deadline ended on Monday, but when asked about it, he declined to respond.

After paying tributes to former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai on his 117^th birth anniversary in Gobichettipalayam, Mr. Sengottaiyan recalled Anna’s message of “forget and forgive” and said it remained a guiding principle for the party. He noted that M.G. Ramachandran had founded the party in Anna’s name and it was later strengthened by Jayalalithaa.

“To me, the dream of both M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa is to return to power, and I had spoken openly about this on September 5. Their loyal supporters have given an overwhelming response,” he said. He added that the movement must grow and “their rule must prosper again.”

O. Panneerselvam, Sasikala, BJP welcome Sengottaiyan’s call for unity among AIADMK factions

Appealing for unity, the former Minister said, “Those who need to understand, must understand. To achieve success in the 2026 Assembly election, all of us must come together and work with a collective spirit.”

Following his remarks earlier this month, party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami relieved him of his posts as organisation secretary and secretary of the Erode Suburban (West) district unit. A few of his supporters were also removed from party positions. Meanwhile, Mr. Sengottaiyan had met Union Ministers Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on September 8, during which he is said to have discussed party affairs.