Chennai , Aug 20 : AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Sunday inaugurated the golden jubilee celebrations of the party in Madurai. During the flag hoisting function, flower petals were showered from a helicopter on Palaniswami who is also the leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu. According to reports , 600 kg of flower petals were showered on EPS as he hoisted the party flag on a 51 ft pole. The AIADMK general secretary is holding the golden jubilee celebrations at Madurai as a show of strength after the expulsion of party leader and former Chief Minister , O. Panneerselvam (OPS) from the party in September 2022. It's to be noted that South Tamil Nadu is a stronghold of the powerful Thevar community to which O. Panneerselvam, VK Shashikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran belongs to. By conducting a massive programme in Madurai , EPS is conveying a strong message to the party detractors that he is powerful across the state of Tamil Nadu. /IANS