Can PMK Survive the Divisive Power Struggle Between Ramadoss and Anbumani?

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) appears to be imploding. The party, which has its roots in the Vanniyar cause, is torn asunder by a father-son power struggle that seems to hurt not just the family but the organisation itself. Caustic exchanges between PMK founder S Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani, have affected the cadres’ spirit and raised questions about the party’s basic ideology of family mentoring the party and leaving administration to the cadre.It all began with Ramadoss appointing his grandson P Mukundan (daughter Srikanthi’s son) as PMK youth wing president in December 2024. Since then, there was a rapid decline in relations between Ramadoss and his son. Anbumani questioned the fairness of appointing a newcomer to the post, resulting in harsh exchanges and Ramadoss “taking over” the party as president. Anbumani declared he was still the party president and boasted of having greater support within.Is it a mere power struggle, an ego clash between Ramadoss and Anbumani to show who is mightier, or internal family politics that involves some women in the family? Until now, Anbumani’s rise in PMK wasn't openly challenged by his siblings Srikanthi and Kavitha – nor by his nieces and nephews. When Anbumani opposed Mukundan’s appointment as youth wing head, Mukundan informed his grandfather he was stepping down, exacerbating tension between Ramadoss and Anbumani.Some believe the politics of inheritance was simmering in the Ramadoss family, with Srikanthi and daughter-in-law Sowmya (Anbumani’s wife) sparring over the distribution of power. Ramadoss was reportedly keen to give Mukundan a party post and a Rajya Sabha seat to another grandson. “The daughters feel their sons aren’t getting recognition or power, and Ramadoss feels this emotional pressure,” says a senior functionary. “Besides, he (Ramadoss) is reluctant to let go of the reins.”Not everyone agrees with that assessment. M P Sadasivam, the party’s state-level election advisory committee member, says it’s a misunderstanding fanned by Anbumani supporters. “The senior’s supporters are hard workers. Anbumani landed on the political stage without acknowledging hard workers, though he was in the party for more than 25 years,” he says. Sadasivam says Anbumani, as the sole inheritor of the party, should do a course correction. “Anbumani is following the wrong path. He should realise whatever happens, he is going to lead the party,” he says.Meanwhile, hectic moves and counter-moves are being executed by Ramadoss and Anbumani in a bid to take control of PMK. Both have been convening internal party meetings, sometimes making it difficult for party veterans to take sides. Anbumani has blamed DMK for trying to engineer a split in PMK. But K Balu, once a Ramadoss loyalist who now backs Anbumani, says the July 8 executive meeting passed 25 resolutions without a single criticism of DMK. “This shows the party is not in Aiyya’s control,” says Balu. Ramadoss recently removed Balu as the head of the party’s legal wing.Anbumani alleged a DMK conspiracy behind the decisions of Ramadoss. Sadasivam is firm: “Aiyya (Ramadoss) will never give room for DMK to pressure PMK. These are only party resolutions. It is purely an executive committee of the party.” Sadasivam feels BJP is pressuring Anbumani. Balu insists that most district secretaries and MLAs support Anbumani. “Years ago, when some of our party members who were Union ministers were perceived as not loyal, we decided to seek a cabinet berth for Anbumani. Three years ago, the general council moved a resolution to make him party president. Aiyya welcomed it with tears of joy,” says Balu. “Under our bylaws, he should be invited to the general council and under the guidance of the founder-leader, decisions can be taken. But the general council will decide whether to accept them.”Supporters on both sides of the family agree that if they don’t patch up, the party’s electoral prospects would be a casualty. The father and son claiming ownership of the party leaves allies confused and supporters disheartened. A divided PMK would also mean a weaker ally at the negotiation table. Taking up the issue with the Election Commission of India would only formalise the war.The longer and deeper the divide persists, DMK and its allies will have a bigger opportunity to make further inroads into Vanniyar strongholds that remained PMK’s vote banks. TVK leader Vijay also stands to benefit if the history of actor Vijayakant’s gaining at the expense of PMK since the launch of DMDK in 2005 is something to go by.PMK Tiruvannamalai East district secretary A Ganeshkumar says Anbumani is trying hard to mend ties with his father. “He hasn’t said a word against his father,” says Ganeshkumar. “We’re all working to bring them together.” Much like the problem, for PMK, the solution should come from within.Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesofindia.com