The leadership tussle within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) took a sensational turn on Thursday, July 11, after party founder S Ramadoss alleged that spyware had been planted in his home.
Further, Ramadoss has lodged a complaint with Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal to retrieve his social media accounts, allegedly taken over by his son and PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss.
These explosive allegations come in the wake of an ongoing leadership tussle between Ramdoss and Anbumani. Father and son have remained locked in a months-long public battle over the party’s control and direction. Party sources told TNM that Ramadoss had suspected an information leak.
Speaking to the media, Ramadoss claimed, “The device was placed precisely at the spot where I customarily sit. We are investigating who placed it there and why.” He also alleged that the device was an “expensive” model and that it had been discovered on June 9.
‘Suspicions of information leak’
Sources close to Ramadoss told TNM that they had been suspecting an information leak to Anbumani’s camp, forcing them to sweep for bugging devices at Ramadoss’s Thailapuram residence in Thindivanam, Villupuram district.
A Chennai-based cybersecurity team was brought in to sweep Ramadoss’s residence. “One device was found near the sofa, close to the BSNL landline used exclusively by the PMK founder. Two more devices are yet to be located,” the source said.
The device was allegedly fitted with an international SIM card and could transmit audio within a 25-metre radius. “It activates only on recognising a specific voice and stays idle otherwise. The experts said it’s a highly sophisticated bug,” the source added.
Social media accounts
Ramadoss claims his official X and Facebook accounts have been taken over by Anbumani’s team.
“The passwords have been changed, and the credentials required to retrieve the passwords have been handed over to someone else, a source alleged to TNM.
The last social media post by Ramadoss was on May 28, both on X and Facebook.
The complaint also said that Ramadoss’ access to the email ID used for sending statements to the media has been revoked.
PMK’s leadership tussle
The rift between father and son deepened as they held parallel meetings on July 8. Anbumani conducted the party’s governing body meeting in Chennai, while his father convened the executive council in Dindivanam.
At the executive council meet, Ramadoss shared the stage with long-time loyalists GK Mani, Dheeran, and AK Moorthy and insisted that he would retain absolute control over party affairs, particularly regarding alliance decisions for the 2026 Assembly elections.
“I will be the one to sign your Forms A and B. Only I will decide on the alliance,” Ramadoss declared. He also said that preparations to select candidates were already underway. “The majority of those who have travelled with me... are still with me,” he further said.
Adding to the tensions, in a rare move, Ramadoss allowed his eldest daughter, Srigandhi, to speak on stage. She demanded that PMK must be part of the next coalition government in Tamil Nadu. This demand was adopted as one of the party’s official resolutions.
Ramadoss also appeared to issue a veiled warning to his son, saying, “No one should use my name if you are not going to listen to what I say. There is no better mantra than a father’s teaching.”
On July 6, Ramadoss removed Anbumani from the PMK’s executive committee.
Despite public overtures from Anbumani in June, including a Father’s Day apology and emotional pleas for forgiveness, Ramadoss has maintained a hard stance.
Also in June, Ramadoss demanded that his son step down as party president and only function as a working president.
The discord first became public in May, when Ramadoss accused Anbumani of sabotaging the party and acting out of personal ambition. At the time, Ramadoss declared he would take over the party presidency and retain that position for life. He also said that 16 rounds of reconciliation talks had failed.
Anbumani to launch padayatra
Undeterred by the row, Anbumani is set to launch a padayatra across Tamil Nadu starting on July 25.
He has also accused the ruling DMK of attempting to exploit the PMK’s internal divisions to weaken the Vanniyar community’s political strength. PMK has substantial influence among the Vanniyar community, who are categorised as Most Backward Class (MBC).
The party has also announced a protest on July 20 against the DMK government regarding the 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars.
In 2021, the Tamil Nadu Assembly, led at the time by the AIADMK, had passed a bill providing 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars. When the DMK came to power, an order to implement the reservation was issued. However, in 2022, this was struck down by the Supreme Court.
Watch: TNM Exclusive: PMK-வை யாராலும் கைப்பற்ற முடியாது; Ramadoss challenges Anbumani!