Standoff between Ramadoss, Anbumani over leading PMK in Assembly polls continues

Efforts are on to resolve the standoff between PMK founder S. Ramadoss and his son and party “president”, Anbumani Ramadoss, over who gets to make the key decisions in the party. Dr Ramadoss had last month declared he was the president of the party and that Dr Anbumani would be the “working president”. The “peace efforts”, are being taken by those close to the two leaders, but a resolution is not really in sight, according to party sources.

While sources close to Dr Ramadoss say he continues to insist that he should be allowed to be party president and take decisions regarding alliances and administer the party ahead of 2026 polls, sources close to Dr. Anbumani say “giving up the party president’s post is out of question”.

“Conversation is under way between Dr. Ramadoss and Dr. Anbumani. Dr. Ramadoss has asked that he should be the president of the PMK and take decisions for the upcoming State Assembly elections. He has been citing the party’s recent electoral failures to justify his demand. Dr. Anbumani insists that he should be the one to put Dr. Ramadoss’ plans into action. An agreement hasn’t yet been reached,” said a senior PMK leader.

During his visit to Dharmapuri over the weekend to participate in a party event, in which he was given a rousing welcome, Dr. Anbumani admitted he had been feeling “mentally stressed” for more than a month and has been asking himself “what wrong did I commit” to warrant a “removal” as party president.

However, party sources say Dr. Anbumani’s subsequent remarks at the event underlines that he is extending an olive branch to end the impasse.

He said: “My dream and ambition is to realise Dr. Ayya’s (Ramadoss) dreams and ambition. So far, I have done what Ayya has asked me do. And I will continue to do so…as a son and the party’s president. It is my duty. Our goal is that if our community (Vanniyar), which is a single largest community in terms of population, develops, Tamil Nadu will develop.”

Another PMK source said it is unlikely that Dr. Anbumani would agree to step aside or give up powers to take decisions regarding alliances for the upcoming State Assembly polls. However, he added a solution needs to be arrived at soon so that the party can concentrate on the elections.