Ramadoss slams use of mango symbol at PM’s NDA public meet in Chennai

CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss strongly condemned the display of the party's disputed 'mango' election symbol on banners at an NDA public meeting addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Maduranthakam in Chennai.In a statement, Ramadoss said the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not decided on the party's symbol so far. The PMK faction led by his son Anbumani Ramadoss had joined the NDA. He was one among those who shared the dais with Modi during the public meeting. "Using a non-recognised symbol at a Prime Minister's event is illegal and blatant abuse of power," Ramadoss stated in a release. The public meeting at Maduranthakam marks the NDA's first major election campaign, featuring politicians from coalition parties.Banners prominently featured the mango symbol alongside those of other allies. He stressed that the mango represents PMK cadres' identity, not any faction, and remains unallocated, with legal cases pending in courts and the ECI. He urged the ECU to intervene to prevent misuse of authority.Ramadoss labelled the act disrespectful to the PM's office and democratic norms, accusing it of misleading Tamil Nadu voters by claiming the symbol prematurely. "Politically unethical actions like this won't be forgiven by the people," he warned.