Popular film actor and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gautami Tadimalla on Wednesday joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the main Opposition party in Tamil Nadu.
Months after parting ways with the BJP, Gautami met AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and formally got inducted into the party.
“On Wednesday, Tadimalla, who was born in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, called on former Chief Minister Palaniswami at his residence in Chennai and formally joined the AIADMK,” an official release by the party said.
The party also shared a picture of the 55-year-old actor with Palaniswami, who handed her a copy of the book ‘Maaperum Tamilkanavu’ (The Great Tamil Dream) and an image of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai on the occasion.
“I was impressed by Annan (elder brother in Tamil) for his ability to unite everyone to fight for the welfare of the people. Today I am very happy to join the party. By joining the AIADMK, I hope I will be able to serve the people,” Tadimalla told reporters in Chennai.
“You all know that I was in the BJP for 25 years and had quit that party due to some reasons. I am very happy to join the AIADMK today,” she said.
In October 2023, Tadimalla quit the BJP, citing a lack of support from the party leadership during a personal crisis. The actor alleged that some members of the party, particularly C Alagappan, betrayed her trust and cheated her out of her life earnings.
The veteran actor boasts an impressive filmography of over 120 movies and has shared the screen with leading Tamil stars, including Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan.