PMK's Anbumani faction joins NDA

In Tamil Nadu, the Dr Anbumani Ramadoss-led faction of PMK has joined the NDA on Wednesday, with the leader calling on AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai, months ahead of the Assembly polls in the state. AIADMK leads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu. Ramadoss met the AIADMK general secretary at his residence to formally join the coalition, whose other constituent is the BJP. "Pattali Makkal Katchi has joined our alliance. More parties will join the alliance soon," Palaniswami told reporters.

The seat allocation for PMK has been decided and will be made known later, he added. The PMK leader said that he came into the NDA fold to defeat the "anti-people" ruling DMK.Palaniswami exuded confidence that the NDA will ensure a strong mandate and that the "AIADMK will form government with individual majority".The alliance partners will sincerely strive for this, he added.

Anbumani Ramadoss echoed the sentiment, describing it as a "moment of joy". "This is the alliance our cadres have been eagerly awaiting. It is a happy moment for us. We will achieve a massive victory, and AIADMK will form the next government." The PMK, a key player representing the influential Vanniyar community in northern Tamil Nadu, has been grappling with a high-profile leadership dispute since 2025. The party has effectively split into two factions: one led by founder Dr S Ramadoss, the veteran patriarch, and the other by his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, a former Union

Minister. The feud, centred on power-sharing, party positions, and alliance preferences, has seen both sides operating independently. While Anbumani has pushed for ties with the NDA (including AIADMK and BJP), reports suggest the senior Ramadoss explored options with the DMK-led front.  The party was part of the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Elections to 234 Assembly seats are likely in March-April this year.