In a dramatic, last-minute political maneuver, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to bring Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr. S. Ramadoss back into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold. The BJP's offer reportedly includes a promise of more electoral seats for his faction than those allocated to his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, who has already sealed a deal with the AIADMK-BJP front.
A High-Level Meeting and a Lucrative Offer
On Thursday evening, a BJP emissary, acting with the concurrence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, met the veteran leader at his Thailapuram residence in Villupuram district. Multiple sources confirmed the high-stakes discussion aimed at mending fences within the PMK and securing its founder's support.
The BJP representative assured Ramadoss, referred to as 'Ayya' by followers, a greater number of seats within the PMK's quota than his son Anbumani. Crucially, the emissary conveyed that Ramadoss would not be required to share a stage or campaign for candidates belonging to the PMK faction led by Anbumani. Furthermore, the BJP assured that the faction led by Ramadoss could contest elections using the PMK's iconic 'mango' symbol.
"Ayya said he would decide in four days' time," revealed a close associate of Ramadoss. The founder was also informed of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal "keenness" to bring him into the NDA alliance, highlighting the importance the central party places on this reconciliation.
Roots of the Rift and a Nod to the DMK
The political outreach comes amid a visible rift within the PMK. Ramadoss is reportedly upset with developments involving his son and the AIADMK's acknowledgment of Anbumani's leadership. This internal conflict is playing out alongside a legal battle for control of the party.
In a move that sent political ripples, Ramadoss earlier on Thursday praised the current state government. "M. K. Stalin's regime is good," he told reporters in Thailapuram. He reminisced about 2006, when the PMK, under his leadership, provided unconditional support to the M. Karunanidhi-led DMK government which lacked a majority. "We did not seek a share in governance, unlike Congress, which showed interest," Ramadoss stated, signaling a potential openness to the DMK-led alliance.
Complex Alliances and Symbolic Battles
While the Ramadoss camp is understood to be in touch with the DMK, a significant roadblock exists. The Dravidian major has a long-standing alliance with Thol. Thirumavalavan's Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which is a bitter rival of the PMK. A senior DMK minister succinctly put it: "It all depends on Thirumavalavan." The VCK chief has consistently stated his party will not be part of any alliance that includes either the PMK or the BJP.
When questioned about the possibility of joining an alliance that included the VCK, Ramadoss displayed political pragmatism, saying, "Absolutely anything can happen in politics. Unexpected things happen." He firmly asserted that there is only one group within the PMK—the one he leads.
On the legal front, Ramadoss announced his intention to approach the civil court to secure the rights to the 'mango' symbol, following directives from the Delhi High Court. He expressed no regrets regarding AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami's poll deal with his son Anbumani.
The BJP's desperate push underscores the party's challenging position in Tamil Nadu. The PMK, which won five seats in the 2021 assembly elections as part of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, drew a blank in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the NDA banner. Securing the support of the influential Vanniyar community leader, S. Ramadoss, is seen as a critical move to regain lost ground, even if it means navigating a complex family and political feud.
