Ramadoss Vs Anbumani: Founder Takes Control Of PMK, Removes Son As President In Surprise Move

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss on Thursday reclaimed the party's top position by declaring himself the President of the party. His son and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, the current serves as the PMK chief has been made the working president.

The senior politician announced the unexpected reshuffle during a press conference at his Thailapuram residence in Villupuram, according to a report in The Hindu.

What Ramadoss Said?

Ramadoss justified his decision by citing the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. "In view of the 2026 Assembly elections in the State, I take charge as the president of the party and appoint Anbumani Ramadoss as the executive president of the party," he stated.

G.K. Mani will assume the role of honorary president, the 85-year-old leader said.

The PMK founder spoke about his formative years when he founded the Vanniyar Sangam in 1980 while practicing as a medical doctor. He recalled enduring hardships, including traveling on buses while advocating for Vanniyar rights, and the sacrifices made during the road roko protests of 1987, which led to the formation of PMK in 1989.

The leader said that his tireless efforts resulted in securing MBC reservation for Vanniyars, and under his leadership, PMK has held positions across various levels of governance, from local bodies to the Union Cabinet.

Dramatic Turn

However, the dramatic development has taken on a day when the BJP's chief strategist Amit Shah is arriving in Chennai. The PMK, which is known for shifting loyalties, had an alliance with the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections despite Ramdoss wanting his party to have an alliance with the AIADMK, as per a report in Deccan Herald.

The rift between the father and son became public during a Special General Council meeting in Puducherry on December 2024. While Anbumani has been steering PMK closer to the BJP, the senior Ramadoss wants the PMK to have an alliance with only the Dravidian parties.

Over the years, the PMK, which was part of the NDA and the UPA-1 alliance in the past, had has oscillated ties between the DMK and the AIADMK. However, the party which enjoys at least 5 per cent vote bank, had gone solo in 2016 elections but failed to leave a major impact.