On the same day the Madras High Court lifted its stay on the Election Commission’s probe into AIADMK’s internal disputes—a ruling seen as a setback for party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami—party cadres and local functionaries gathered at senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan’s residence in Erode. Following his recent remarks against the party leadership, security was tightened at his home.Sengottaiyan, however, dismissed speculations of a political meeting. Speaking to reporters outside his Kullampalayam residence, he clarified, “The party functionaries came to invite me to the 108th birth anniversary public meeting of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, to be held in Anthiyur on February 13. No consultative meeting was held.” He also downplayed concerns over his recent comments, saying, “Whatever I said three days ago was over the same day. Leave that.”
The former minister and Gobichettipalayam MLA had skipped a recent event held to felicitate Palaniswami for implementing the Athikadavu-Avinashi scheme. His absence and his criticism over the omission of MGR and Jayalalithaa’s images at the event fueled speculation of an internal rift. Though he later clarified that he had not boycotted the event but merely skipped it, his remarks stirred tension within the party.
Amidst these developments, security has been reinforced at Sengottaiyan’s residence. Armed police personnel, including two special sub-inspectors and two head constables, have been stationed since Tuesday night to maintain order.