PMK Dispute Escalates: Anbumani Faction Claims ECI Recognition for Leadership Tenure

Anbumani bloc hails ECI letter as endorsement; Ramadoss loyalists dismiss it as invalid amid address change controversy

By NewsArc Bureau

Chennai, September 16, 2025: The internal rift within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) deepened on Monday as the faction led by Dr Anbumani Ramadoss announced receipt of a letter from the Election Commission of India (ECI) accepting a resolution that extends his tenure as party president until August 2026. The development, revealed during a press interaction in Chennai, has been contested by the bloc headed by PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, who recently expelled his son Anbumani from the party, further fueling the leadership battle.

Anbumani faction’s spokesperson and advocate K Balu asserted that the ECI’s communication, dated September 9 and signed by under secretary Love Kush Yadav, unequivocally recognizes Dr Anbumani as the legitimate president of PMK. Reading from the letter, Balu quoted: “… the party’s request for extension of the term of office bearers till August 2026, has been acceded to by the competent authority.” He emphasized that the letter was also forwarded to the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, and urged against any references to “factions,” stating, “There should not be any confusion over factions. The party led by Anbumani is the PMK. No one should refer to this group or that group.” Balu reiterated that founder Dr S Ramadoss remains the guiding force of the party.

The resolution in question was passed at the PMK’s general council meeting convened on August 9 in Mahabalipuram. Balu had previously alluded to ECI recognition on Thursday, following Ramadoss’s expulsion announcement, but provided details only on Monday. However, the claim was swiftly rebutted by Salem West MLA R Arul, a staunch loyalist of the senior Ramadoss. Arul alleged that the party’s official address had been unilaterally changed from 63, Nattu Muthu Nayakkan Street to 13, Thilak Street in T Nagar without the founder’s consent, leading to the ECI letter being sent to the unauthorized location.

Arul further revealed that a counter-resolution from a general council meeting organized by Dr S Ramadoss has been submitted to the ECI, affirming the founder as both president and guiding leader. He passionately defended Ramadoss’s legacy, noting that the party’s election symbol, flag, and every core element stem from his vision. “He (Anbumani) may be the son, but that does not grant him the power to steal the party,” Arul declared, rejecting notions of a split and insisting, “There is only one party, and it stands united under Ramadoss’ leadership.” He added that while some leaders might defect, the party’s cadre base remains steadfastly loyal to the founder.

A former senior ECI official, speaking anonymously on the escalating feud, clarified that the commission’s letters do not constitute a final ruling unless both factions formally approach it with a dispute. “The ECI can decide only after both the factions approach it with a dispute. In the absence of that, such letters sent by the ECI would not be the final word in the dispute,” the official remarked, highlighting the procedural limitations in the current scenario.

The PMK, a key player in Tamil Nadu’s Vanniyar-dominated politics, has been grappling with this father-son tussle since earlier this year, threatening to impact its alliances and electoral prospects ahead of future polls. As both sides dig in, the true legitimacy of PMK’s leadership hangs in the balance, pending potential ECI intervention.