Anbumani says he will steer PMK, calls his father ‘family deity'
For the second day in a row, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday addressed office-bearers of PMK and reiterated that his father and party founder S. Ramadoss continues to be the party's 'family deity', acknowledged his vision and hardwork in building the party, but made it clear that he will be the president and that the party would be steered by him in the future.
Speaking to the office-bearers from PMK strongholds such as Dharmapuri, Salem, Erode, Namakkal and Kallakurichi districts, Dr. Anbumani urged them to undertake a membership drive in the next three weeks and said that that he would soon take out a yatra across Tamil Nadu to 'reclaim rights of the Tamil people'.
'After the membership drive, we also have plans regarding caste census. I will also undertake a yatra by foot for which I will announce the details soon. There is a lot of work to be done. You are the party; the PMK is not owned by a single person,' he told them. 'You are the reason why the Vanniyar youth conference was a big success. We are all in the same team. I will never think that you are my subordinates. You are all my colleagues,' he added.
Dr. Anbumani said he would soon resolve the issues within the party and reassured office-bearers that 'nobody can remove or change anyone' in the party without his concurrence and signature. 'I have been appointed by the party general council as per laws and it has been acknowledged by the Election Commission. Only the party president should make appointments and sign on appointments. I understand how sad you are all, but you also know how bad I feel about what is happening within the party. Our strength is our youth... and many of you are here to do good for the community. PMK should rule the State,' he said.
PMK general secretary Vadivel Ravanan, treasurer Thilagabama, Vanniyar Sangam State secretary Karthik, and MLAs S.P. Venkateswaran, S. Sadashivam and C. Sivakumar were also present.
On the other hand, Pennagaram MLA and former president G.K. Mani said every cadre of the PMK wished that Dr. Anbumani and Dr. Ramadoss met to resolve the issues. 'If they meet and talk, it would give a lot of energy to the cadre. I had urged Dr. Ramadoss not to change the office-bearers, but he decided to anyway. We are talking continuously with both leaders to resolve this issue.'
Mr. Mani added, 'Some say I am the reason for the split...or that someone else or some other political party is the reason...these things cannot be accepted. Dr. Ramadoss has been politics for 45 years. Dr. Anbumani has been a union minister and achieved a lot. Do they have to be told what to do? Nobody else is responsible. This is happening due to unforeseen circumstances.'
Mr. Mani said Dr. Ramadoss was in 'great mental stress'. 'I have told Dr. Ramadoss several times. I have taken two decisions — to leave everything and go somewhere or I shouldn't be alive. I am saying this because I am so distressed at what is happening in the party,' he said.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State's health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)
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