Madras high court refuses to hear PMK founder’s plea on freezing ‘mango’ symbol

CHENNAI: Madras HC refused to entertain Friday a plea by PMK founder S Ramadoss to direct EC to freeze the ‘mango’ symbol following a “split in the party and internal dispute” over the president’s post.

Ramadoss had also sought HC’s direction to EC to declare him party president, recognise his team of office-bearers, and allot the ‘mango’ symbol to his faction for upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.


Refusing to entertain the pleas, first bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan said the dispute between father and son must be resolved before a civil court.

According to Ramadoss, his son Anbumani was appointed party president for a fixed term of three years from May 2022 to May 2025 through a general body meeting. He asserted the tenure was strictly limited, according to the party constitution, and there was no provision for extension.

After the expiry of Anbumani’s tenure, certain unauthorised and forged documents were created and submitted to EC, he alleged. These documents allegedly misrepresented a general body meeting was held in Aug 2023 and that the tenure of office-bearers headed by Anbumani was extended up to Feb 23, 2026, and later to Aug 1, 2026.

Ramadoss also contended EC issued a communication in July 2025, allotting the ‘Mango’ symbol to PMK for elections in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. However, the communication was sent to an “incorrect address” to Anbumani rather than Ramadoss’ present office address.