PMK’s leadership tussle
The rift between father and son deepened as they held parallel meetings on July 8. Anbumani conducted the party’s governing body meeting in Chennai, while his father convened the executive council in Dindivanam.
At the executive council meet, Ramadoss shared the stage with long-time loyalists GK Mani, Dheeran, and AK Moorthy and insisted that he would retain absolute control over party affairs, particularly regarding alliance decisions for the 2026 Assembly elections.
“I will be the one to sign your Forms A and B. Only I will decide on the alliance,” Ramadoss declared. He also said that preparations to select candidates were already underway. “The majority of those who have travelled with me… are still with me,” he further said.
Adding to the tensions, in a rare move, Ramadoss allowed his eldest daughter, Srigandhi, to speak on stage. She demanded that PMK must be part of the next coalition government in Tamil Nadu. This demand was adopted as one of the party’s official resolutions.
Ramadoss also appeared to issue a veiled warning to his son, saying, “No one should use my name if you are not going to listen to what I say. There is no better mantra than a father’s teaching.”
On July 6, Ramadoss Anbumani from the PMK’s executive committee.
Despite public overtures from Anbumani in June, including a Father’s Day apology and emotional pleas for forgiveness, Ramadoss has maintained a hard stance.
Also in June, Ramadoss demanded that his son as party president and only function as a working president.
The discord first became public in May, when Ramadoss accused Anbumani of sabotaging the party and acting out of personal ambition. At the time, Ramadoss declared he would take over the party presidency and retain that position for life. He also said that 16 rounds of reconciliation talks had failed.
Anbumani to launch padayatra
Undeterred by the row, Anbumani is set to launch a padayatra across Tamil Nadu starting on July 25.
He has also accused the ruling DMK of attempting to exploit the PMK’s internal divisions to weaken the Vanniyar community’s political strength. PMK has substantial influence among the Vanniyar community, who are categorised as Most Backward Class (MBC).
The party has also announced a protest on July 20 against the DMK government regarding the 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars.
In 2021, the Tamil Nadu Assembly, led at the time by the AIADMK, had a bill providing 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars. When the DMK came to power, an to implement the reservation was issued. However, in 2022, this was struck by the Supreme Court.
Watch: TNM Exclusive: PMK-வை யாராலும் கைப்பற்ற முடியாது; Ramadoss challenges Anbumani!
