Has PMK’s Mango Symbol and Leadership Been Affirmed?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Election Commission recognizes Anbumani Ramadoss as PMK leader.
- PMK to contest under the Mango symbol.
- Internal family dispute may impact party dynamics.
- Anbumani encourages grassroots mobilization.
- Focus on addressing public grievances and strengthening electoral strategies.
Chennai, Nov 12 (NationPress) The president of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Anbumani Ramadoss, declared on Wednesday that the Election Commission (EC) has formally acknowledged his leadership of the party, confirming that it will compete in the forthcoming Assembly elections under its traditional Mango symbol.
While addressing party members at a gathering in a private marriage hall near Chennai, Anbumani expressed, “Our leadership has been validated by the Election Commission, and we will be contesting under the Mango symbol. This decision is final.”
His statements were made in light of recent reports indicating that PMK's founder, S. Ramadoss, his father, had contacted the EC asserting his claim over the Mango symbol.
The ongoing family dispute, which has intensified over the past several months, has led both leaders to independently appoint and remove party officials, with senior members taking sides in this internal conflict.
Despite this, Anbumani maintained a positive outlook and urged his supporters to focus on fortifying the organization in preparation for the elections. He referenced his recently concluded 100-day “Nadai Payanam” (Pada Yatra), which he stated allowed him to assess public sentiment, asserting that “the populace is dissatisfied with the DMK government.”
“People are drawing comparisons between the DMK and the PMK. However, we are a party driven by vision and youthful energy. We have numerous developmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of the people, and our strength is rooted in our connection with them,” he remarked.
He encouraged party members to leverage the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a strategy to strengthen the party's foundation.
“Visit every household, verify if any eligible voters have been overlooked, and ensure that our supporters are registered. Familiarize yourselves with who the BLO and BLA are — this is your election. In a few months, some of you might even find yourselves as MLAs or ministers,” he inspired the cheering crowd.
In a subsequent press interaction, Anbumani criticized the DMK for protesting the SIR process, labeling it a “diversionary tactic.”
He accused the ruling party of neglecting critical issues, such as the struggles faced by delta farmers who have experienced crop losses due to heavy rains and are still seeking compensation.