Palaniswami’s actions show that AIADMK has weakened now: Finance Minister Sengottaiyan

Former senior AIADMK leader and incumbent State Finance Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan said on Sunday (May 17, 2026) that the actions of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami indicated that the party had now weakened. He was speaking to reporters in Coimbatore.

Responding to a question on the ongoing friction in the AIADMK after the Assembly election results, he said Mr. Palaniswami thought only he should be in the party.

Regarding the expansion of the Tamil Nadu government’s Cabinet, he said the Cabinet had been constituted only recently, and portfolios had just been allocated. When Jayalalithaa became the Chief Minister she too expanded the Cabinet gradually, he recalled. “Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will decide on expanding the Cabinet and who will be a part of it,” he said. On the financial situation in the State, Mr. Segottaiyan said it should be studied carefully and only then could the questions be answered. The Chief Minister has the capability to handle critical situations, he asserted.

When asked about reports that some women have not received the monthly rights grant of ₹1,000 under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, the Finance Minister said the new government had assumed office only recently.