Ramdoss earlier accused Anbumani of misleading the party and claimed that both Anbumani and his wife had pleaded with him to ally with BJP.
Published Sep 11, 2025 | 11:57 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 11, 2025 | 1:27 PM
Anbumani Ramadoss. Credit: draramadoss
Synopsis: Tensions between the party’s founder, Dr S Ramadoss, and his son, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, have been brewing for some time. On 16 May, Dr Ramadoss summoned all district presidents and secretaries to his residence at Thailapuram in the Villupuram district for a meeting. However, out of the 220 invitees, only 22 attended, signalling a major show of dissent.
In a dramatic turn of events in Tamil Nadu politics, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss has expelled his son and leader Anbumani from the party.
The PMK’s disciplinary committee had issued a notice to Anbumani regarding 16 charges against him and gave him multiple opportunities to respond. Since he failed to reply, S Ramadoss declared that all charges against Anbumani stand proven and relieved him from the party’s primary membership and responsibilities.
Ramadoss said that although he regretted the role of those who had helped Anbumani, he was willing to forgive them.
Speaking to reporters today at his residence in Thailapuram, the PMK patriarch said: “This is a party I started on my own. No one else has the right to claim ownership. Anbumani took a step that no one in PMK ever dared to – breaking the party’s discipline. Therefore, I am removing him from the post of Working President. Moreover, since his activities are detrimental to the party’s future growth, I am also removing him from primary membership.”
He added: “16 charges were levelled against him. Though he was given two opportunities to respond, he did not. Therefore, it is considered that the charges against him are true. From now on, no one in the party should maintain contact with him. If anyone engages in such anti-party activities, they too will face equally severe action.”
Tensions between the party’s founder, Dr S Ramadoss, and his son, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, have been brewing for some time.
On 16 May, Dr Ramadoss summoned all district presidents and secretaries to his residence at Thailapuram in the Villupuram district for a meeting. However, out of the 220 invitees, only 22 attended, signalling a major show of dissent.
Speaking to South First shortly after the meeting, PMK treasurer Thilagabama declared support for Anbumani, further underlining the deepening divide within the party.
On 29 May, Ramadoss addressed the media and launched a scathing attack on Anbumani and his wife, Sowmya Anbumani. He accused Anbumani of misguiding the party and claimed that both Anbumani and Sowmya had pleaded with him to ally with the BJP.
He went on to say that appointing Anbumani as a minister at the age of 35—against his principles—had been a mistake. Ramadoss also warned that if necessary, he would expel Anbumani from the party.
“PMK is not anyone’s personal property,” he told them. “I am the president recognised by the Election Commission. Each of you here has been elected by the general council. We will continue to serve the party as its loyal workers. Positions may come and go, but your love and support are permanent.”
Meanwhile, Anbumani’s camp and the party’s spokesperson, advocate Balu, met the press in Chennai and said, “As per the rules of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, only the president, general secretary, and treasurer, who are elected by the General Council, are vested with authority to carry out administrative functions. The founder does not have that authority. Any decision such as expulsion or conducting party meetings can only be made by the office bearers elected by the General Council.”
“The statement issued by Dr Ramadoss is against party rules and has no binding effect on the party. Anbumani Ramadoss continues to remain the party president. As per the decision taken in the General Council meeting held on 9 August, Anbumani will continue as president, Vadivel Ravanan as general secretary, and Thilagabama as treasurer until 2026. This has also been approved by the Election Commission. Hence, the founder of the party has no authority to interfere in the party’s administrative functions,” he added.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
