The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) conspicuously absented itself from a significant multi-party meeting held in Chennai on Sunday. Chaired by DMK leader and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the gathering was convened to discuss the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise concerning electoral rolls.
Interestingly, the DMK had extended an invitation directly to PMK founder S. Ramadoss, who is known to be in a political tussle with his son, Anbumani Ramadoss.
R. Arul, the Salem West MLA and a staunch supporter of Dr. Ramadoss, clarified the party’s decision. He stated that his non-attendance was a deliberate move to prevent any perception of the PMK founder aligning with the DMK. “Only alliance partners participated, without the presence of major opposition parties. We did not want to be seen as an ally of the DMK,” Arul explained.
Conversely, K. Balu, a spokesperson and a supporter of Dr. Anbumani, criticized the DMK’s stance. He dismissed the DMK’s objections to the Election Commission’s SIR exercise, labeling it a “normal process.”
“The addition and deletion of voters from electoral rolls is a routine procedure. In numerous constituencies, there are voters who have passed away, or individuals who have either moved out or recently moved into the area. These records require accurate correction,” Balu asserted. He further alleged, “As for the DMK, the party is notorious for casting votes of deceased electors, which is precisely why they are eager to halt this exercise. They are set for defeat this time.”
Just two days prior to this meeting, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss had publicly voiced his support for the SIR initiative, highlighting the internal divergence within the PMK on this issue.