Former Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) legislator R. Arul declared that party president Anbumani Ramadoss lacks leadership qualities, offering members a choice between forming a new party or joining existing ones. The meeting also passed a resolution demanding the division of Salem district into three administrative units.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • Former PMK MLA R. Arul rejects Anbumani Ramadoss as party leader
  • Supporters are given a sheet to choose between a new party or joining existing parties
  • Resolution passed to split Salem district into three for better administration

Former Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) legislator R. Arul announced on July 16 that the party’s current president Anbumani Ramadoss does not possess the requisite leadership qualities. Arul, a long‑time staunch of PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss, convened a gathering of supporters in Salem, handing out a questionnaire that asked participants to decide whether to launch a new political outfit or merge with an existing one.

Meeting Dynamics and Resolutions

The assembly saw five resolutions adopted, the most prominent of which urged the state government to partition Salem district into three smaller districts to enhance administrative efficiency. This demand reflects a growing sentiment among local leaders and business communities that the current district’s size hampers effective governance and development.

Family Legacy and Internal Strife

Dr. S. Ramadoss founded PMK in the early 1990s on a platform emphasizing Tamil identity and social justice. His son, Anbumani, rose to national prominence when he served as a Union Minister in 2014, but his leadership style has increasingly drawn criticism from the party’s grassroots. Arul remarked, “It is heartening to see Dr. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani united again, yet Anbumani has repeatedly compared Dr. Ramadoss’s supporters to a drain, creating a rift that the party can no longer ignore.”

Declining Electoral Fortunes

PMK’s vote share has plunged dramatically—from 5.2% in the last general election to a mere 2.1% this cycle. Analysts attribute this slide to leadership turmoil, unstable alliances, and a shifting voter base that is less responsive to the party’s traditional caste‑based appeal. Anbumani’s overtures to absorb dissenting factions have largely been rebuffed, fueling calls for an alternative leadership structure.

Path Forward

Arul emphasized that he has traveled alongside Dr. Ramadoss for 37 years, and upon the senior leader’s retirement from active politics, he organized this consultative meeting. “We have received invitations from every major party—including AIADMK, DMK, and even the ruling TVK—offering us space within their ranks. We will now tally the responses and announce a decisive course of action shortly,” he said. The outcome could reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, where new coalitions and splinter groups are increasingly influencing electoral outcomes.