PMK’s leadership rift: Anbumani Ramadoss seeks ‘forgiveness’ from his father

Pattali Makkal Katchi president Anbumani Ramadoss at a party meeting in Tiruvallur on June 15, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

As internal disagreements over the Pattali Makkal Katchi’s (PMK’s) leadership continue between party founder S. Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani Ramadoss, the latter on Sunday (June 15, 2025) asked for “forgiveness.” However, he wished to continue as party president, though Dr. Ramadoss preferred to lead the PMK.

Ramadoss, Anbumani: father, son and a war of words in Pattali Makkal Katchi

While addressing party members at Tiruvallur district general council meeting, Dr. Anbumani described his father as a senior politician at the national level and said: “If Ayya [Dr. Ramadoss] is angry with me, I sincerely ask for his forgiveness. There is nothing big in apologising to father. I wish Ayya to live a long, happy and healthy life. A decade ago, Ayya had undergone bypass surgery. He has diabetes and blood pressure. Tell me what needs to be done. As your son and the party president, I will do it. I ask you not to be angry, worried or distressed. We will carry forward your 45 years of hard work and realise your dreams.”

Dr. Anbumani also accused the ruling DMK of merely claiming to follow the ideologies of Periyar [E.V. Ramasamy] and principles such as social justice, equality, and democracy. “They [the DMK] only talk about progressive politics, but never implement it. The DMK government is a traitor to social justice and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has no right to talk about it. The DMK cheated people by giving fake poll promises. The countdown for the end of the DMK government has begun.”

Attempts to resolve standoff with Anbumani ended in ‘draw’: PMK founder Ramadoss

Further, he alleged the State Government is attempting to take over thousands of acres of farmland in Tiruvallur district to hand over to an American company for the establishment of a knowledge city. The PMK strongly opposed the project.

He uged party cadres to focus on expanding the party base by enrolling new members. The alliance PMK would be part of would win the 2026 Assembly elections, he believed.