The efforts to broker peace between Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani Ramadoss, have hit a roadblock, as Anbumani rejected the terms proposed by his father and asked for more time to consider his position.
The reconciliation talks, initiated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue and auditor S Gurumurthy, have so far failed to yield a breakthrough. After a second round of discussions with Ramadoss in Chennai on Saturday, June 7, Gurumurthy was expected to meet Anbumani Ramadoss. However, the meeting was called off after Anbumani reportedly declined to proceed, citing the need for further deliberation on “certain issues”.
Recently, in a dramatic press conference, Ramadoss openly declared his opposition to the PMK forging an alliance with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He also said that it was Anbumani and his wife Sowmya Anbumani who forced him to join the alliance.
According to PMK sources, Ramadoss remains firm in his demands. He has reportedly insisted that Anbumani step down as party president and allow him to take charge of key decisions. “He had also told Gurumurthy and Saidai Duraisamy that he wants to take major decisions which include finalising alliance, candidate selection and distribution of seats,” the source said.
Despite the impasse, Ramadoss told reporters that the situation remains under control. “Everything is going on smoothly and very soon everything will come to an end,” he said, expressing confidence in the support of party workers. “Those who see me as the guiding light of the party are always with me and showing me the way,” he added.
When journalists asked whether PMK remains part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Dr Ramadoss retorted curtly: “We can’t say now”. His hesitation reflects broader internal disagreements within the party.
Dr Ramadoss’s guarded response carries added weight, coming at a time when Gurumurthy is attempting to broker peace on behalf of the NDA, just a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah confidently declared in Madurai that the NDA would capture power in Tamil Nadu by 2026.
Earlier on June 5, Anbumani visited his father’s residence in Thailapuram, Tindivanam, but he left the residence without addressing the media, refusing to disclose the reason for his visit.
Sources within the PMK told TNM that Ramadoss has laid down three conditions for a possible truce: Anbumani should step down as PMK president and continue only as the working president; Ramadoss' grandson Mukundan should be appointed as the youth wing secretary; and Anbumani should fulfil the commitments to other family members.
Dr Ramadoss also recently accused Anbumani of forcing him into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, BJP sources say the party wants to finalise the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu by the end of June, ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly elections. The unresolved PMK leadership issue could potentially derail these plans.