Mon Apr 07 05:26:27 UTC 2025: **AIADMK Veteran Sengottaiyan Downplays Rift with Party Leader Palaniswami**
CHENNAI, April 7, 2025 – Senior AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan has dismissed reports of internal party conflict, asserting that the party is united and functioning smoothly. Sengottaiyan, a former Minister, confirmed recent meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing speculation about his relationship with party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
While Sengottaiyan stated that his meeting with Shah was in the party’s best interests, he declined to elaborate. He clarified that his meeting with Sitharaman concerned a GST issue. He also stated that Palaniswami was aware of his colleagues meeting Union Ministers, citing a recent meeting between Rajya Sabha MP M. Thambi Durai and Sitharaman.
The clarification comes amidst reports of a rift between Sengottaiyan and Palaniswami, stemming from Sengottaiyan’s absence from a party function in February and his expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s loss in the Anthiyur constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections. While party spokesperson Vaigaichelvan suggested that Palaniswami would decide on any disciplinary action, Sengottaiyan’s statements appear to indicate a desire to de-escalate the situation. Sengottaiyan’s long and prominent career within the AIADMK, spanning several decades and various ministerial portfolios, adds significance to his comments.
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