Latest news with #Ramadoss
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)
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Father Vs Son Battle In PMK Hints At Shifting Electoral Battle Lines In Tamil Nadu
Last Updated: The intense disagreement between father and son in a Tamil Nadu party enjoying community patronage means alliances can swing anyway in the coming polls The Paatali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is undergoing severe leadership disagreement at the moment, with Anbumani Ramadoss, the son, rebelling against his father and the party's founder, Ramadoss. Through a press conference, the father had alleged extreme pressure from the son in alliance decisions and party affairs, besides delivering a strong assertion as to who holds the reins. Anbumani, meanwhile, has asserted his own position as president, reinstalling leaders expelled by his father. Party seniors are expressing distress, while political analysts speculate if this is heading towards a vertical split in one of Tamil Nadu's largest parties enjoying a solid community patronage. What is not apparent but true is the larger meaning from the conflict underway at the PMK. As a party that vacillated between both Dravidian majors and was pitched as an alternative to both in 2016 (Change, Development, Anbumani was the slogan), the PMK has had a circuitous path over the last decade. The question of whom to ally with—or to strike out independently—has always dogged the party. Now, arriving as it does around a year ahead of state elections, this could be a symptom of state alliance equations undergoing a reset. Tamil Nadu as a political arena has a certain duality in character. In choosing their next chief minister, the people have by and large alternated between the DMK and the AIADMK—the two Dravidian parties. At the same time, they have never shied away from a strong vote of confidence for a newcomer. Particularly, if said newcomer hails from Tinseltown and has captured hearts, speaking from the celluloid long before entering the fray formally. In short, they seem to remain with the incumbents, yet encourage challengers. The challenger of today is actor Vijay and he has taken a clear mark at the ruling forces in the state and Center. Whenever the DMK-AIADMK tug of war is disturbed by a new entrant, a ripple starts to spread in other regional parties. The PMK's intense disagreement could have—at its core—the question of allying with the AIADMK-BJP combine to present a strong opposition to the DMK. Or, should the party not get pulled in by the BJP and weigh its options independently? From the BJP's perspective, playing the arithmetic game makes sense, given the fact that the DMK leads in the narrative sense—a state suffering the might of institutions and the ED while protecting language, education, and state autonomy. With the PMK holding a strong vote base in the northern districts and the BJP chief being from the deep South, and the AIADMK taking care of the West (kongu belt), the BJP should be congratulating itself for putting together a formidable alliance (should the PMK choose to ally). Leader of the VCK, Thol Thirumavalavan, had recently said the party is not averse to bold decisions, but the current attacks on it are motivated to destabilise the DMK Front. The party recently lost a leader to actor Vijay's TVK. Should the TVK take away even a minor fraction of the DMK Front's bank from the oppressed communities, would that not weaken an alliance successful for over six years now? And how would such a deep realignment not play on the minds of all regional parties, including the PMK? The current turmoil within the PMK should be seen in the light of the new forces at play in Tamil Nadu and how they might reset electoral alliances we had assumed for sure. In the run-up to the polls, more symptoms may arise of this reset and how leaders will react in posturing before an audience with more choices in the polling booths, come same time next year. First Published: May 31, 2025, 12:55 IST
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
I have got my freedom and party can move forward: Anbumani Ramadoss
A day after PMK founder S. Ramadoss lamented that making his son Anbumani Ramadoss a Union Minister at 35 was a mistake, the latter responded by saying: 'I have got my freedom since yesterday.' Addressing a meeting of party office-bearers from Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, and Vellore districts at a private banquet hall in Sholinganallur, Dr. Anbumani reiterated that all appointments made within the party, including president, general secretary, and treasurer, could only be made by the party's general council. [Dr. Ramadoss had earlier said he was taking over as 'president' while his son would be the 'working president' of the party.] 'I have been mentally stressed since the day I became party president. I got my freedom yesterday. From today, we can move forward with speed. At the same time, we will follow the policies and ideologies of Dr. Ayya (Ramadoss). Our immediate goal is to strengthen our party. Our alliance should get a massive victory. Then, we should come to power in Tamil Nadu,' he said. Referring to letters being circulated for the removal of office-bearers and appointment of new ones, Dr. Anbumani said: 'We have been appointed by the general body, and you are the general body. Today, there was a letter saying that Thilagabama has been removed as the treasurer. I announced immediately that she would continue as the party's treasurer, because neither I nor anyone else has the power to remove her from the post.' He added: 'The president, general secretary, and treasurer are elected by the general council of the party. This is given in the party's by-laws, which were registered with the Election Commission of India.' Dr. Anbumani further presented a letter to an office-bearer, who was reportedly removed from the post of district secretary. 'Nobody can change you. Only the party president can remove you. Only this letter is valid.' He further underlined that the decision taken purportedly by Dr. Ramadoss to ally with the AIADMK and the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election as the reason why the party couldn't sustain the momentum gained by the 'Maatram Munnetram Anbumani' campaign of party, which positioned Dr. Anbumani as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate. 'If we had done the same campaign again in 2019, we would have been in power now. We couldn't do it then. You all know why...I don't want to talk about it now,' he said. Reacting to Dr. Ramadoss' accusation that Dr. Anbumani attacked his mother during an argument, he said: 'I have faced a lot of sorrows and insults and carried unthinkable allegations in my life. It has only made me stronger and mature. I love my mother very much, and she likes me the most. I will not allow even a scratch on her. I will overcome that (allegation) as well. The district secretaries and presidents don't have to worry about being removed. If you get a letter removing you, you will get another confirming your appointment within 10 minutes. We have to take the party to the next level,' he said. He urged office-bearers to undertake a membership drive across Tamil Nadu. MLA backtracks In a related development, PMK MLA from Salem West R. Arul, who announced that he would resign from his post on Friday, withdrew his decision on the advice of Dr. Ramadoss. After making the announcement, Mr. Arul met Dr. Ramadoss at his Thailapuram residence in Villupuram district. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Arul said the PMK founder asked him not to resign. Besides, Dr. Anbumani's close aides asked him not to step down as MLA, he added. Meanwhile, PMK MLA from Mettur constituency S. Sathasivam told journalists that it was up to Mr. Arul to decide what he wanted to do. 'We do not know whether Mr. Ramadoss accepts this decision. I am participating in the meeting convened by Mr. Anbumani in Chennai on Saturday,' he said.
