In the ongoing power struggle within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), spokesperson K. Balu announced on Monday, September 15, 2025, that Anbumani Ramadoss, as the party’s recognized president, is the sole authority to sign Forms A and B for party candidates in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Balu stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially approved the resolutions passed during the PMK general body meeting, which Anbumani Ramadoss chaired on August 9 this year. According to these resolutions, Anbumani will retain his position as party president until August 1, 2026.
He further elaborated, “The ECI formally recognized Dr. Anbumani as president, Vadivelu Ravanan as general secretary, and Thilagabama as treasurer in a letter dated September 9. This letter also confirmed the extension of Dr. Anbumani’s tenure as president until August 1, 2026, and acknowledged the party’s office in Tilak Street as its official address. Consequently, Dr. Anbumani holds the exclusive authority to sign on A Form and B Form.”
Senior leaders allied with Anbumani believe this official recognition will settle the dispute regarding the party’s leadership. “This endorsement should make it clear that Doctor Ayya (Dr. Ramadoss) has no other recourse. However, given that he is reportedly being misguided by those around him, we anticipate further challenges, but we are confident in our position,” a senior leader commented.
Accusations of Unauthorized Address Change Surface
Conversely, Salem West MLA R. Arul, a staunch supporter of PMK founder Dr. Ramadoss, claimed that the party’s registered address was altered without Dr. Ramadoss’s knowledge or consent.
Arul alleged, “The faction supporting Dr. Anbumani illicitly changed the party’s official address to Dr. Anbumani’s residential address and submitted it to the ECI, entirely bypassing Dr. Ramadoss and other key party functionaries. Crucially, the ECI’s letter did not explicitly name Dr. Anbumani as the party president; it merely allocated the mango symbol to the PMK, which is led by Dr. Ramadoss.”
He emphatically stated, “Dr. Ramadoss embodies the PMK, and the Vanniyar community will cast their votes exclusively for him.”
Arul accused the opposing group of actively attempting to divide the Vanniyar community. “On Monday, Dr. Anbumani’s faction presented a letter to the media, disseminating false information. Dr. Ramadoss became president to ensure PMK’s renewed recognition. Dr. Anbumani’s term as president concluded on May 28, 2025, and he was appointed ‘working president’ on April 14, 2025. Subsequently, Dr. Ramadoss expelled his son from the party.”
He concluded, “In accordance with party regulations, Dr. Ramadoss formally took office as party president on May 30, 2025. Dr. Anbumani, in clear violation of these rules, convened a general council meeting on August 9, 2025, where he extended the terms of the president, general secretary, and treasurer by one year. However, as early as June 30, 2025, Dr. Ramadoss had already notified the ECI of Dr. Anbumani’s removal from the president’s post.”