Leadership Battle: The Ramadoss Family Fission

The PMK is embroiled in a leadership dispute between founder Dr. Ramadoss and his son, Anbumani. Tensions over alliances have led to separate factions each claiming legitimacy. The Election Commission has withdrawn recognition, complicating matters further. Both camps are contesting for legitimacy and symbol allocation as elections loom.

The leadership struggle within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has taken a legal turn as factions led by Dr. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani clash over party control. PMK leader R Arul asserted in a press conference on Monday that a recent Delhi High Court judgment's 'rival camp' refers to Anbumani Ramadoss' faction.

According to Arul, the Election Commission has declined to recognize the Anbumani-led faction, challenging any claim that the court decision favored them. He emphasized that Anbumani has no ties to the PMK, which was established by Dr. Ramadoss, and urged only the right faction to pursue any necessary civil court actions.

The dispute has escalated due to divergent alliance opinions, strictly dividing the Ramadoss family. Both factions conducted separate leadership councils, each claiming authenticity over the party name. The EC has refrained from assigning the 'Mango' electoral symbol until the conflict is resolved. Meanwhile, Dr. Ramadoss is organizing a demonstration to advocate for a Vanniyar quota alongside a comprehensive caste census.