Why Did S Ramadoss Expel His Son Anbumani From PMK?

S. Ramadoss, the founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has announced the immediate expulsion of his son and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, from the party. The decision was made public during a press conference at Ramadoss's residence in Thailapuram, near Tindivanam, on Thursday.

Ramadoss stated that the PMK's Disciplinary Action Committee had presented 16 charges against Anbumani, who served as the party's working president. Despite being served with a show-cause notice and granted an extension to respond, Anbumani "did not respond to it." According to Ramadoss, Anbumani "preferred neither submitting his written explanation nor appearing in person to respond to the charges."

This lack of response, Ramadoss explained, demonstrated that "Mr. Anbumani has no valid grounds to present his reply." Consequently, in line with the party's regulations, he has been removed from both his position as working president and his primary membership.

Accusing his son of "anti-party activities" that have "damaged the reputation of the organisation in an unprecedented manner since its inception," Ramadoss urged party members to sever all ties with Anbumani. He warned that he would not hesitate to take action against anyone who defies this decision.

Ramadoss also addressed those who have aligned with his son, noting that they were "once groomed by him and decorated with party posts." He said they had now joined Anbumani for "certain reasons" and had engaged in "anti-party activities, even creating an impression of a separate faction." Despite his disappointment, Ramadoss expressed a willingness to forgive them, stating, "Though I am upset with them, I am ready to forgive them," and highlighting his past support for them, which he said "helped them beyond their expectations."

Ramadoss dismissed the expulsion as "not a setback to the PMK." He claimed that his son had ignored advice from several senior party figures and political leaders and had acted in "a whimsical manner" while lacking "basic qualities of leadership." The decision to expel him was made in the best interest of the party's "growth and development."

Ramadoss also suggested that Anbumani was now free to form his own party. "This party was started by an individual [Ramadoss] and no one has the right to stake claim to it, even if it is my son," he asserted.

The conflict between the father and son has been escalating for months. While Ramadoss has declared himself the party head, Anbumani has maintained that he was the legitimately elected president, a position recognized by the Election Commission.

According to a report by News Minute, the feud originated after Ramadoss accused Anbumani of pressuring him to form an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Ramadoss also reportedly stated that his decision to make Anbumani a minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004 was "a big mistake."