Did PMK Founder Ramadoss Blame His Son Anbumani for the Party's Downfall?

Chennai, May 29 (NationPress) The founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), S. Ramadoss, publicly conveyed his regret on Thursday for promoting his son Anbumani Ramadoss to a prominent national role. He accused him of undermining the party’s progress and compelling an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

During a press briefing at his residence in Thailapuram, near Puducherry, Ramadoss stated, "It was my mistake to appoint Anbumani as a Union Cabinet Minister at just 35 years old [in 2004]."

The senior politician, who recently reassumed the presidency of PMK from Anbumani, launched a fierce critique of his son's actions, claiming he has been "functioning without restraint," which has eroded the party’s foundation.

In reference to Anbumani's recent comments in Dharmapuri, where he expressed feelings of mental distress over his ousting as party president, Ramadoss dismissed these remarks as a calculated ploy to distract party members and seek sympathy.

"Such remarks only raise serious concerns," he added.

A significant point of conflict, according to Ramadoss, was Anbumani's public display of discontent regarding the appointment of his nephew Mukunthan as the youth wing secretary during a recent general council meeting.

"He astonished everyone by throwing the microphone onto the table - it narrowly missed hitting me," Ramadoss recounted, labeling the act as "unseemly" and indicative of Anbumani's lack of leadership skills.

The veteran politician reminisced about his efforts in building the PMK, noting how he traveled to over 95,000 villages without food or water to establish a grassroots presence for the party.

"All of that was tarnished by Anbumani's behavior. He shattered a significant mirror with his actions," Ramadoss lamented.

Additionally, he accused Anbumani of obstructing party appointments, including his opposition to Tamil Kumaran - son of honorary president G.K. Mani - for a crucial organizational position.

Ramadoss claimed that Anbumani pressured Kumaran to resign and even reached out personally to prevent Kumaran and his family from attending the general council meeting.

"Kumaran’s family faced humiliation," he stated.

Ramadoss also criticized Anbumani for showing disrespect to senior party leaders, including G.K. Mani and the late Vanniyar Sangam president Kaduvetti J. Guru. He further alleged a troubling incident during the Pongal celebrations in Thailapuram, where Anbumani attempted to throw a bottle at his mother.

Although the bottle did not hit her, Ramadoss indicated that the incident was provoked by her comment suggesting Anbumani would not have objected had his own daughter been appointed as youth wing secretary.

On the topic of political alliances, Ramadoss asserted that the PMK and the AIADMK were natural allies and would have performed well together in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"We could have secured at least 10 seats," he remarked.

However, he alleged that Anbumani was determined to form an alliance with the BJP and emotionally pressured him by stating, "If you don't, you'll be compelled to conduct my last rites."

In a shocking disclosure, Ramadoss revealed that both Anbumani and his wife Sowmya had "clung to his feet," begging for a BJP alliance ahead of the 2024 elections.