Chennai: The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) purported recognition of Anbumani Ramadoss as president of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) till August 2026, according to a communication released by his supporters Monday, has sparked a fresh row amid the father-son tussle that has split the party into two factions.
A day after Anbumani camp’s spokesperson and lawyer K. Balu told media persons that ECI has recognised the former Union minister as PMK chief, the faction led by party founder S. Ramadoss has rejected the claim, and decided to approach the poll body and court for legal action.
The Ramadoss camp argues that Anbumani’s tenure ended on 28 May, and that Ramadoss, as the party’s founder, demoted him as the working president, while Anbumani’s supporters have claimed that they are the real PMK.
Balu told ThePrint, “Based on the letter written to the ECI, they have accepted it and recognised the present functionaries. By this, Anbumani will continue to be the president of the party, and Ramadoss ayya is our party founder.”
According to the ECI letter released by the Anbumani-led faction—dated 9 September and signed by Under Secretary Love Kush Yadav—the election body acceded to the request to extend the term of the party office bearers until August 2026.
“It is directed to the letter dated 10.08.2025 and 11.08.2025 on the subject cited and to state that the party’s request for extension of terms of office bearers of the party till 1 August 2026 has been acceded by the competent authority,” read the letter addressed to PMK president.
According to Anbumani’s supporters, in the party general council meeting held on 9 August, resolutions were passed to extend his tenure as president, besides that of Vadivelu Ravanan as general secretary and Thilagabama as treasurer.
However, Ramadoss’s supporters insist that Anbumani’s term as president ended on 28 May. “We informed the ECI of this change. The so-called general council meeting in August was unauthorised and cannot override the party constitution,” said MLA R. Arul.
He further alleged that the party headquarters was shifted without the consent of the founder. “The letter does not mean that Anbumani is the president of the party. It just acknowledges the documents submitted by them. This cannot be considered as ECI giving recognition, but Anbumani’s supporters are misusing a communication to assert their leadership,” he said.
Ramadoss’s supporters are now planning to approach the ECI, questioning the validity of the August general council meeting, Arul told ThePrint. “We will demand a formal hearing to establish which side controls the party in accordance with its by-laws.”
The Ramadoss-led faction is also working on a public outreach project, projecting him as the rightful leader of PMK. “The identity, symbol and legacy of PMK were built by Dr Ramadoss ayya. It cannot be hijacked,” Arul said.
However, political observers in the state point out that while ECI’s communication may give Anbumani an upper hand in short term, but in terms of control over the party, the founder’s camp still carries weight and cadres loyalty in the northern districts.
“This is not a mere family quarrel. It is about who holds the keys to a critical Vanniyar vote bank in northern Tamil Nadu. Although they don’t form a majority to make somebody win, they have become the deciding factor in the northern belt with 5 percent of the votes,” said political analyst Raveendran Duraisamy.
The dispute has left the PMK—once a crucial player in the alliance—in a state of uncertainty. For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), who have relied on PMK’s Vanniyar vote bank in northern districts, the leadership row adds to the churn in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Also Read: ‘Unfit to hold any position’: PMK founder Ramadoss expels son Anbumani ahead of Tamil Nadu polls
