Ramadoss warns son Ambimani against using PMK name, flag

In Tamil Nadu, political tension between two leaders- supposed to be- father and son - has reached  a new high. This is a story of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). The power struggle within the party between factions led by founder Dr S Ramadoss and his son Dr Anbumani Ramadoss intensified on Friday, with both sides asserting control over the party and taking retaliatory action. Father Dr S Ramadoss, through a legal notice published in newspapers, warned Dr Anbumani Ramadoss against using the PMK’s name, flag, or symbol. Citing a December 4 verdict of the Delhi High Court, the notice stated that Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has no legal authority to claim the post of party president or to act on behalf of the PMK in any capacity. It further asserted that all political, organisational, and electoral decisions of the PMK must emanate solely from its founder, Dr S Ramadoss, as Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has no authority to take such decisions in the party’s name.

The legal notice also warned political parties, organisations, and individuals against entering into electoral alliances or political arrangements with Dr Anbumani Ramadoss in the name of the PMK, stating that such actions would amount to an offence under the law. Anbumani was expelled by the Ramadoss-led party in September this year.

As the power tussle over the control of PMK further intensified between father and son, the latter on December 26 announced the expulsion of party honorary president G K Mani for "anti-party activities." Mani, representing the Pennagaram Assembly constituency, is a staunch loyalist of senior Ramadoss, and has been critical of Anbumani for allegedly rebelling against his own father. A day before this drama unfolded, Mani told reporters in Thailapuram in Villupuram district that Ramadoss would chair the PMK's state executive and general council meeting in Salem on December 29. Anbumani continues to claim that he is the party president.