The political drama within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has taken a serious legal turn, with the party's founder, Dr. S Ramadoss, formally lodging a police complaint against his own son, Dr. R Anbumani, accusing him of fraudulently claiming the party's presidency.
Legal Complaint Lodged in Delhi
In a significant escalation of the internal feud, Ramadoss has submitted a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in New Delhi. The document, signed by Ramadoss himself and presented by the party's honorary president, G K Mani, seeks the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). The core allegation is that Anbumani, the former Union Health Minister, submitted forged documents to the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 2023 to illegally declare himself as the PMK president.
Ramadoss asserts in his complaint that he is the legitimately elected president of the PMK, having been chosen by a competent party body for a three-year term effective May 30, 2025. He claims that Anbumani's submission to the ECI on August 31, 2023, was a deliberate act of forgery, orchestrated without any proper election or selection process. "The creation of document dated Aug 31 is an attempt to grab the PMK party from me (founder)," the complaint states.
Allegations of Forgery and Demand for CBI Probe
The complaint goes beyond the presidency claim, alleging that Anbumani also fraudulently modified the official address of the party. Ramadoss has urged the police to not only file an FIR but also to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a "fair and swift interrogation." He cited the fact that Anbumani is already facing CBI cases related to corruption as further justification for the central agency's involvement.
"I urge the police to register an FIR and conduct appropriate investigations to bring the culprits and accused persons, headed by Anbumani and ECI," Ramadoss stated in his complaint. This direct mention of the ECI as part of the accused group indicates a broader allegation of collusion or procedural failure.
Internal Party War Intensifies
The legal move has triggered a fierce backlash from Anbumani's camp within the party. PMK spokesperson and Anbumani supporter, K Balu, retaliated by announcing that the party would initiate disciplinary action against G K Mani for presenting the complaint. Balu accused Mani of indulging in anti-party activities and stated that many functionaries are demanding his expulsion from the party's primary membership. The party's disciplinary committee is set to convene to decide on action against Mani.
Meanwhile, G K Mani, after submitting the complaint in Delhi, told reporters that the ECI's acceptance of the alleged forged document was a "fraudulent action" and a "betrayal." This public statement underscores the deep schism within the party, pitting the founder and his loyalists against the faction led by his son, the party's most prominent face in recent years.
The situation presents a critical challenge for the PMK, a key regional player in Tamil Nadu politics. The public airing of a family and political dispute through police complaints and counter-threats of disciplinary action threatens to damage the party's unity and public image ahead of future electoral battles.
