Over 200 PMK district office-bearers stay away from meeting called by Ramadoss
More than 200 of the 216 district presidents and secretaries of the PMK did not turn up for a meeting called by party founder S. Ramadoss at his Thailapuram residence in Villupuram on Friday.
While Salem West MLA R. Arul and PMK floor leader and Dr. Ramadoss's loyalist G.K. Mani were in attendance, party sources said less than 10% of the district presidents and secretaries took part.
'The PMK has a total of 108 party districts, each of which has a district president and district secretary. I heard that only 13 office-bearers took part, including six district secretaries and seven district presidents,' a senior leader said.
Addressing a press conference in Villupuram, Dr. Ramadoss explained the intention behind calling for the meeting. 'This is the first meeting to be held after the Vanniyar Youth Conference. General secretary Vadivel Ravanan, honorary president G.K. Mani, Arul and many others have attended it. The reason for this meeting is to exchange ideas and discuss strategies which would ensure that the PMK wins 50 Assembly seats even if it contests the election alone,' he said.
When asked why a majority of the party's office-bearers had given the meeting a miss, Dr. Ramadoss said, 'Some of them may have been tired because they had worked hard for the success of the Vanniyar Youth Conference, braving the heat. However, they spoke on the phone with me. They have explained why they couldn't come to the meeting.'
A senior party leader said there was credible information that Dr. Ramadoss had decided to take action on his son and party leader Anbumani Ramadoss in the presence of all the district presidents and secretaries.
'Fearing they would be made a party to his decision, most of the district presidents and secretaries didn't attend the meeting. It is clear that the party's office-bearers lean towards Dr. Anbumani,' he said.
'The intention behind the meeting had been misunderstood. Dr. Anbumani was expected to come today. However, there was a rumour that Dr. Anbumani was being formally removed. In fact, I went to see Ayya (S. Ramadoss) to ensure that such a thing does not happen; but that wasn't the case at all. Dr. Anbumani is our future and the Chief Ministerial candidate of our party. However, the Vanniyar community stands firmly behind Dr. Ramadoss first, and Dr. Anbumani,' Mr. Arul told The Hindu.
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