ECI recognised Anbumani as PMK chief, says K. Balu; lies being spread, alleges R. Arul

Days after Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss announced the “expulsion” of his estranged son Anbumani Ramadoss from the party, the latter’s spokesperson K. Balu on Monday (September 15, 2025) declared that as party “president”, Dr. Anbumani alone shall be the authorised signatory on Forms A and B for party candidates in the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing journalists in Chennai, Mr. Balu said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had formally granted its approval to the resolutions passed during the PMK general body meeting presided over by Dr. Anbumani on August 9 this year. According to a resolution, he will continue to be party president until August 1, 2026.

“The ECI has recognised Dr. Anbumani as president, Vadivelu Ravanan as general secretary, and Thilagabama as treasurer in a letter dated September 9. It has accepted the extension of tenure of Dr. Anbumani as president until August 1, 2026. It has recognised the party’s office in Tilak Street as its official address. Dr. Anbumani will have the authority to sign on A Form and B Form,” he contended.

Senior leaders of the party, close to Mr. Anbumani, believe this recognition would likely end the dispute between him and his father as to who would lead the organisation. “This recognition should bring upon a realisation that Doctor Ayya (Dr. Ramadoss) has no other option. However, seeing how he is being misled by those close to him, we expect them to challenge this, but we are confident that we will prevail,” a senior leader said.

‘Address changed without founder’s knowledge’

However, Salem West MLA R. Arul, a supporter of Dr. Ramadoss, alleged that the registered address of the party was changed without the founder’s knowledge. 

“The group [supporting Dr. Anbumani], without the knowledge of Dr. Ramadoss or other party functionaries, changed the party office address to Dr. Anbumani’s residential address, and submitted it to the ECI,” he told journalists in Salem. “The ECI did not mention Dr. Anbumani as president of the party in its letter. It allocated the mango symbol to the PMK led by Dr. Ramadoss,” he said.

According to him, “Dr. Ramadoss is the PMK” and the people from the Vanniyar community will vote only for him.

“A group is trying hard to divide the Vanniyar people. On Monday, they [Dr. Anbumani’s faction] showed a letter to the media and spoke lies. It was to make the PMK a recognised party again that Dr. Ramadoss became its president. Dr. Anbumani’s tenure as president ended on May 28, 2025, and on April 14, 2025, he was made ‘working president’ of the party,” he contended. [Subsequently, Dr Ramadoss ‘expelled’ his son from the party.]

“As per rules, on May 30, 2025, Dr. Ramadoss formally assumed office as party president. Dr. Anbumani, without following any rules, conducted a general council meeting on August 9, 2025, and passed a resolution by extending the period of president, general secretary, and treasurer by one year. But on June 30, 2025, itself, Dr. Ramadoss informed the ECI that Dr. Anbumani was removed from the president post,” Mr. Arul added.