Signs of a truce emerge between Ramadoss and Anbumani

Vanniyar Sangam's Chithirai Pournami festival and Youth Conference in Mamallapuram expected to resolve PMK leader disagreements.

The Vanniyar Sangam’s Chithirai Pournami festival and Vanniyar Youth Conference scheduled to be held in Mamallapuram on May 11, after a gap of 12 years, is expected to put an end to the recent disagreements between Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss and his son and party president Anbumani Ramadoss.

Dr. Ramadoss on Thursday said in a post on X, the conference should be held 100 times better than what has happened so far. He also said Dr. Anbumani, who was appointed as the chairman of the organising committee, would oversee the preparations for the conference. A day before, Dr. Anbumani also participated in the ceremonial planting of the wooden pole, indicating the commencement of festivities.

Sources in the party say that this recent move indicates signs of rapprochement emerging between the two leaders. “The disagreement between the father and son was sorted out. It is highly unlikely that their disagreements are going to escalate further. It was solely based on who has the power — the founder or the president of the party — to appoint district secretaries and State-level office-bearers. To give some context, Dr. Anbumani had resisted the proposals of Dr. Ramadoss, in appointing some office-bearers,” a party source said.

Their disagreement came to light when Dr. Ramadoss announced the appointment of P. Mukundan, his grandson (son of his elder daughter) for the post of party’s youth wing president during the party’s general council meeting at Pattanur in Villupuram district on December 28, last year. Dr. Anbumani, who was sharing the dais with him, objected to it on the grounds that Mr. Mukundan had joined the party only four months ago. Dr. Ramadoss, in response, said it was he who had launched the Vanniyar Sangam and the party, and that those who were not interested in continuing in the PMK were free to leave.

Though the father-son duo were later said to have resolved their differences, in a surprise move on April 10, Dr. Ramadoss declared himself president of the party and announced that Dr. Anbumani, would function as the party’s working president. He said the decision was made in view of the 2026 Assembly election. There was discontent among a section of the partyworkers following this announcement. Later, the two leaders held discussions with the cadre, separately.

Sources also indicated the PMK was likely to join the AIADMK-BJP alliance to face the next year’s election.