Gautami quits AIADMK amid party exodus, cites 'political circumstances'

Actor-politician Gautami Tadimalla on Sunday (June 14) resigned from the AIADMK, stepping down from both her position as the party’s Policy Propaganda Deputy Secretary and her primary membership, citing the prevailing political circumstances.

Her exit comes amid growing churn within the party, with several leaders and cadres recently moving to the ruling Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Watch/Read: Why AIADMK's Gautami Tadimalla insists that DMK should be defeated

In a letter posted on social media platform X, Gautami said she was leaving the party “with a heavy heart”. Still, she would continue her public and social service activities in an appropriate manner, she added.

Denied ticket

According to reports, Gautami had sought an AIADMK ticket to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from the Rajapalayam constituency but was not granted the opportunity. She had hinted at this last year during an interaction with The Federal, too.

Her resignation comes at a time when the AIADMK has been witnessing a series of defections. Last week, more than 300 AIADMK members formally joined TVK at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, claiming they were unable to serve the public under the AIADMK leadership effectively.

There is no information yet on whether or not Gautami will join any other party. Speaking to The Federal last September, she had said: "Thambi (brother) Vijay’s entry has created a sensation, as expected, given his stardom and the love people have for him. His commitment to rooting out the DMK’s corruption is on the right track. How his party shapes up remains to be seen."

Political journey

Gautami, a well-known actress, social activist and politician, has been involved in politics for nearly three decades. She first entered politics in 1997 by joining the BJP under the leadership of veteran leader LK Advani. She actively campaigned for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

After taking a break from active politics following the birth of her daughter, Gautami returned to the BJP in 2017 and was later appointed in-charge of the Rajapalayam Assembly constituency in 2021.

However, she quit the BJP in October 2023, alleging that the party leadership had failed to support her during a personal crisis. At the time, she claimed that influential figures within the party were backing a person who had allegedly defrauded her of her life savings and properties.

Also read: AIADMK crisis: Can EPS stop exodus and revive party faith?

In February 2024, Gautami joined the AIADMK in the presence of party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. She was subsequently appointed the party’s Deputy Propaganda Secretary in October 2024.

Beyond politics

Asked why she was not doing Tamil films anymore, Gautami had told The Federal last September that it was because of the DMK's grip on the Tamil film industry. "The reason I’ve not done Tamil films lately is that the industry is heavily controlled by the DMK family, from production houses to contracts with actors. Since I’ve been politically opposed to them, doors are closed—or rather, I wouldn’t knock on those doors myself," she said.

"But I am confident I will return to Tamil cinema soon. The industry will eventually breathe freely again, with real creativity and enterprise," she added.

Beyond film and politics, Gautami has been actively involved in social work, particularly in the fields of healthcare, education and rural development. A breast cancer survivor, she co-founded the Life Again Foundation, using her personal experience to support cancer awareness, rehabilitation and patient welfare initiatives.