In a significant development within Tamil Nadu's political landscape, a deepening rift between PMK founder S. Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani Ramadoss, is triggering major realignment talks. The patriarch is now actively exploring new alliance options, including initiating discussions with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), as the internal family power struggle spills into the public domain.
A Fractured Front: The Father-Son Divide
Dr. S. Ramadoss has convened a crucial meeting of his faction's administrative committee on December 17 to deliberate the party's future political strategy. This move comes even as Anbumani, leading the rival faction, has independently invited applications from potential election candidates, signaling a parallel and conflicting authority structure.
Sources close to the senior leader reveal that he has informed his well-wishers in Delhi of his firm decision to neither align politically with his son in the future nor campaign alongside him. "He expressed a desire to remain separate entities and is open to alliances with any principal ally. Talks are underway with DMK as well," a close associate confirmed to TOI.
Navigating Alliance Politics: The DMK Equation
The potential for a Ramadoss-DMK partnership, however, is not without its complications. Initially, the DMK camp had reservations about accommodating the Ramadoss faction due to its long-standing alliance with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol. Thirumavalavan. The VCK and PMK have historically been at odds over caste politics, particularly concerning the Vanniyar community in Tamil Nadu's northern districts.
Despite these hurdles and Anbumani's persistent anti-DMK stance, senior DMK functionaries have acknowledged that discussions with the elder Ramadoss are indeed progressing. A senior DMK leader stated, "Poll talk with Ramadoss is on. Issues with VCK will be resolved." This optimism is shared by a section of DMK leaders from the northern regions, who see value in the PMK's traditional clout in districts like Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Cuddalore.
The DMK leadership recently extended an invitation to the Ramadoss faction for an all-party meeting to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a gesture seen as a step towards fostering dialogue.
Public Sparring and Legal Battles
The internal conflict has escalated into open verbal warfare. K. Balu, an associate of Anbumani, publicly commented on the rival faction's predicament, stating they were "in a helpless situation, uncertain about its standing and alliance choices" for the upcoming polls. He expressed unwavering confidence in Anbumani's leadership, claiming, "PMK (the faction headed by Anbumani) will be part of a winning alliance. That is our goal and we will achieve a massive victory under Anbumani's leadership."
The discord has also moved to the legal arena. Dr. S. Ramadoss has initiated serious legal actions against his son, including filing complaints with the Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging document forgery. He has also petitioned the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the collection of applications and fees from poll aspirants by Anbumani's camp. These steps underscore the severity and bitterness of the familial and political split.
The developments set the stage for a dramatic reshuffle in Tamil Nadu's alliance calculus ahead of the next electoral battle, with the future of the PMK hanging in the balance between its founding father and its current president.
