Latest news with #PMK
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TVK, PMK pay respects to Anjalai Ammal
Chennai: Actor and TVK president and PMK president paid respects to freedom fighter Anjalai Ammal on her 135th birth anniversary on Sunday. Vijay garlanded the statue of Anjalai Ammal at his party headquarters in Panayur. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Vijay on X said, "Anjalai Ammal loved this land and served the people fearlessly throughout her life. His fearless struggle for freedom is highly commendable," Vijay said. Vijay had declared Anjalai Ammal as one of the five ideological mentors of TVK. Anbumani praised Anjalai Ammal for her contribution to the freedom struggle and urged state to introduce a chapter on her in school books. "Anjalai Ammal made an immense contribution to the Indian freedom struggle and was appreciated by Gandhi for her courage. DMK did not recognise her contribution but after only the PMK pointed it out, she was included in the 2022 Republic Day float. Still my demand of naming the Cuddalore port and collectorate after Anjalai Ammal remains unfulfilled," he said on X. tnn
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ramadoss seeks to play down rift, hopes for a ‘miracle' to amicably settle the dispute
PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Sunday sought to play down the ongoing rift with his son and PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss. At a press conference, Dr. Ramadoss said that office-bearers abstaining from the meetings called by him was not 'uncommon' in political parties. 'Some people will go there; some will come here. We will change the district secretaries based on their performance. There is no confusion,' he said. Asked when he would meet his son, Dr. Anbumani, he said 'miracles do happen'. Dr. Anbumani, who met office-bearers from southern districts on the third day, said Dr. Ramadoss was the symbol of 'social justice' and that PMK was founded in order to come to power. 'We can develop Tamil Nadu only when we have the power. Caste census is not just for Vanniyars; but 377 communities are benefitting due to reservation. Still, we do not know how many communities are not receiving the benefits of reservation. I am going to go on a yatra across Tamil Nadu,' he said. Dr. Anbumani reiterated, 'There will be no permanent leader in this party. This is a democratic party. President is elected by the general council.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
I alone can convene general council meeting: Anbumani
Chennai: PMK president and Rajya Sabha member Anbumani Ramadoss declared that only he could convene the party general council. Speaking at PMK's district secretaries' meeting held for the second consecutive day on Saturday, Anbumani said PMK is a party founded with ideology and purpose. "The party has to function with unity, discipline, and structure. We must avoid public conflict. The party's credibility depends on how we handle internal matters responsibly," he said. He pointed out that everyone in the party had a responsibility. "I'm not here to rule. I'm here to work alongside you," he said. He said in politics, positions will come and go. "No one is forever. But our commitment to the people must be constant. We are not here for personal gain. Our work should benefit the people and the party. This is not the time for ego or groupism. Those who love the party must stand together," he said. Anbumani conveyed the next polls will be critical and PMK should present itself as a strong, independent alternative. He called upon the functionaries to reach every village and booth with a clear message. "We cannot afford to fall apart now. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo If we truly believe in our ideology, let us show it in action," he said. Meanwhile, Ramadoss removed a handful of district secretaries from their positions. This comes as two of the party's five MLAs, G K Mani and A Arul, were absent from Anbumani's consultative meeting with district functionaries. The ongoing conflict between his father and PMK founder S Ramadoss and Anbumani intensified in recent days and is now pushing the party towards a full-blown war within. According to internal sources, both of them have strong and irreconcilable differences. There are also disputes among district-level leaders and key office-bearers who are said to be taking sides. Amid this, Mani denied charges that he was responsible for the rift between Ramadoss and Anbumani. "I am not responsible for the rift within PMK. When I saw such claims circulating on social media, I broke down. Having been in the party for so many years, do you think I would ever wish for the party to fall apart? The accusations made against me are false," said Mani before meeting Ramadoss at his residence.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
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 that someone else or some other political party is the 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)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Family feuds intensify in BRS And PMK
Two prominent South Indian regional parties, BRS in Telangana and PMK in Tamil Nadu, are currently grappling with internal family conflicts. K. Kavitha of BRS is seemingly testing her support base amidst disagreements with her brother's political approach, while PMK founder S. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Two regional parties in the South - BRS in Telangana and PMK in Tamil Nadu - are caught in family battles, with key leaders at odds over control and Saturday, BRS leader K Kavitha inaugurated a new office for her NGO Telangana Jagruthi near her Hyderabad residence and called for a protest on June 4 against notice to her father and party chief KCR. Party insiders say Kavitha is testing grassroots support as she prepares for a political shift that differs from her brother KTR's path. KCR has so far remained contrast, PMK founder S Ramadoss has gone on the offensive against his son Anbumani Ramadoss, removing him as party president in April. On Thursday, the senior Ramadoss publicly accused Anbumani of allying with BJP during the Lok Sabha elections, ignoring his preference for however, continues to meet district secretaries and insists he remains president. He has refrained from retaliating due to his father's stature in Vanniyar community, the party's core base. His Rajya Sabha term ends in June, and PMK - currently in the NDA - may struggle to negotiate a fresh term with BJP-AIADMK now aligned.
