Former Minister and Gobichettipalayam MLA K.A. Sengottaiyan recently reiterated his appeal for a cohesive All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Speaking on Monday, September 15, 2025, he emphasized that his earlier statements on September 5 were aimed at fortifying the party and ensuring the resurgence of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s envisioned governance in Tamil Nadu. He also noted the positive reception his call for unity had garnered.
On September 5, 2025, Mr. Sengottaiyan had issued a 10-day ultimatum to the AIADMK leadership, urging them to take definitive steps toward welcoming back former members who had distanced themselves from the party. Although this deadline passed on Monday, he refrained from commenting directly on its outcome when questioned by reporters.
During his tribute to former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai on his 117th birth anniversary in Gobichettipalayam, Mr. Sengottaiyan invoked Anna’s enduring message of “forget and forgive,” highlighting it as a crucial guiding principle for the party. He reminded attendees that M.G. Ramachandran founded the party in Anna’s name, and it was later significantly strengthened under Jayalalithaa’s leadership.
Reflecting on the party’s future, Mr. Sengottaiyan stated, “The shared ambition of both MGR and Jayalalithaa was to see the party return to power. I articulated this aspiration openly on September 5, and the response from their loyal supporters has been overwhelmingly favorable.” He further stressed the imperative for the movement to expand and for “their rule to flourish once more.”
Notably, Mr. Sengottaiyan’s previous call for unity had been met with a mix of support and repercussions. Several prominent figures, including O. Panneerselvam, Sasikala, and the BJP, welcomed his initiative for reconciliation among AIADMK factions. However, in a swift development earlier this month, party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami relieved him of his duties as organization secretary and secretary of the Erode Suburban (West) district unit. A few of his key supporters also faced removal from party positions. Amidst these internal dynamics, Mr. Sengottaiyan was reported to have met Union Ministers Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on September 8, where party affairs were reportedly a key topic of discussion.
Urging all factions to set aside differences, the former Minister concluded, “Those who need to grasp this message, must understand it. To secure victory in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, it is essential that we all unite and collaborate with a shared purpose.”