‘PMK is in my control. Where's the doubt?'

Time of India

16 hours ago

You have been leading this party since its formation. Where does it stand now in terms of political influence?
I founded this party on July 16, 1989. Today, it's strong, spread across Tamil Nadu, and 95% of the cadres stand with me.
They see me as one of them — some even as a god. In 36 years, I've seen victories and defeats like any party.
I visited 96,000 villages. Just look at my feet — they're proof of my journey.
Who holds the party reins now? You promised to step down after the election but within 24 hours changed your stance. Now you say you will remain in charge indefinitely.
The party is in my control. Where is the doubt? I made a mistake saying I will hold control over the party only until the 2026 assembly election.
Why does PMK shift alliances often?
We need ideological alignment and a strong ally. During one election, when AIADMK wasn't at its peak, J Jayalalithaa aligned with us. She came to my office with a bouquet and called me her 'brother' in front of the media. That alliance gave AIADMK a new lease of life. Later, we aligned with DMK, and in the last Lok Sabha polls, we were with BJP.
Who is the better ally?
AIADMK is a better partner, ideologically and electorally.
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Now, don't ask why DMK is not like that.
Have there been differences between you and Anbumani over allies?
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, I wanted to align with AIADMK; Anbumani initially agreed but later shifted to BJP. PMK and AIADMK are natural allies. BJP is still growing, so a win with them isn't easy. In any election, we need ideology and winnability. We must decide based on these factors.
Have Narendra Modi or Amit Shah been in touch with you?
Neither has contacted me.
What is your understanding of Anbumani's motives for aligning with BJP?
Yamondrum ariyen paraparame (Oh God! I don't know anything).
Have there been feelers from M K Stalin, Edappadi K Palaniswami, or actor Vijay, extending moral support?
None of them has contacted me.
Anbumani and wife Sowmya are silent over allegations you have levelled against them.
Vadivel Ramanan, an SC member from Theni, is our general secretary for four terms.
As per PMK bylaws, only an SC member can be general secretary. When he came here a week ago, I asked him to stay with me. By then, Anbumani told him to go to Madurai and promised to put him up in a luxurious hotel. (Ramadoss on Saturday sacked Vadivel Ramanan).
The bylaws specify the president's role and election process, suggesting a democratic approach to settle leadership disagreements.
Are you talking about the general council? I announced the appointment of Mukundan, my daughter's son, as youth wing president, a position previously held by Anbumani, which angered him.
He threw the microphone. Later, when family members gathered for the Pongal festival here, talks turned into angry exchanges. I uttered a few words about Anbumani and left, which I can't reveal now. His mother asked him if he would be happy if his second daughter was given the post instead.
Anbumani threw a water bottle at her. Luckily, it only hit the wall. Can you do this to a mother? Mother is a goddess. Similarly, no advice is greater than a father's words.
Lord Rama left Ayodhya honouring the word of his father, King Dasaratha.
Lyricist Na Muthukumar wrote, 'Deivangal ellam thotre pogum, Thandhai anbin munnae, Thalattu padum thayin anbum, Thanthai anbin pinnae (Gods face defeat before the love of father; Love of a mother who sings lullabies comes after the love of a father)'. I loved Anbumani like that. I did everything for him. I hugged him and shed tears of joy upon his election as party president.
Also, I declared that women from my family should not take responsibilities in the party.
The current situation appears to contradict that.
Anbumani has denied behaving badly with his mother.
My daughter Srikanthi is a witness.
There seems a lack of support from the family, particularly your wife, relating to efforts to remove Anbumani?
I recently decided to visit Dharmapuri and Salem, districts I love, to meet with cadres. He told friends there were conditions for my visit, which included a ban on using microphones, a limit of 200 participants, and meeting with partymen only at the hotel. How can he do this when I am the founder?
Who enjoys more support of office bearers and vanniyar community?
Go to four villages and ask this.
Did Anbumani propose a compromise when he met you last week?
He visited, but there have been no talks of compromise. The solution to the current crisis is appointing him as a working president as he must go to every town, engage with the youth, and help the party grow before the election. He should affirm his commitment to follow my guidance and express his willingness to work as a cadre, without holding the position of working president.
Chief minister M K Stalin is an example. My friend Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) remained active in a wheelchair till 94.
During an allies' meeting, I suggested he delegate responsibilities to Stalin. Within a week, Stalin was made deputy chief minister and today, leads the state.
You called on Stalin in 2023.
That was to request a caste census for 10.5% internal reservation for vanniyars.
Anbumani publicly offered support to DMK if vanniyars are granted a 15% internal quota.
I am ready to align with DMK if it offers a 15% quota for vanniyars.
What prompted you to announce Mukundan's appointment as PMK youth wing president at a party meeting?
After Anbumani's promotion, a vacancy opened up, and film producer G K M Tamil Kumaran was offered the post. When Kumaran informed Anbumani, he told him to resign immediately and tear up the appointment order. I advised him not to. Later, while Kumaran and his family were in Puducherry for a general council meeting, Anbumani called me and insisted Kumaran shouldn't attend.
Kumaran eventually stayed away. Two months later, I told him to tear up the appointment order.
I then appointed Mukundan, knowing he would support both of us. When a council meeting was held in Chennai, Mukundan asked if he could attend. I said yes. Later, Anbumani asked him if he was my political advisor.
Any plans for a general council?
It will be decided after consultation with district secretaries.
In that case, aren't Anbumani's district-wise scheduled general council meetings forbidden?
I feel the same.
Cadres are upset by the fall-out as it comes barely a year ahead of the election.
They are more than cadres. They are my life and will stand behind me until my last breath.
Why are these issues taken to the media instead of being discussed privately?
I have been holding press conferences on Thursdays for a long time. I will continue to respond to queries from the media.
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