PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss speaking at the general body meeting held at Mamallapuram.
The PMK general body meeting, convened by Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday, resolved that he would continue as party president while , and other office-bearers, Vadivel Ravanan and M. Thilagabama would continue as general secretary and treasurer respectively, for one year. The internal party election will be held in August 2026.
For the first time, the general body meeting was held without PMK founder S. Ramadoss, amid the ongoing stand-off with his son Dr. Anbumani.
The meeting was held at Mamallapuram, after the Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition to restrain Dr. Anbumani from convening a general body meeting.
It passed a resolution vowing to defeat the ruling DMK in the 2026 Assembly election.
‘Talks on for truce’
Dr. Anbumani spoke about the ongoing rift with his father, and said talks were under way for a truce. “I have spoken to him [Ramadoss] for over 40 times. I spoke to him yesterday as well. Through family, relatives, and friends, the mediation is in progress. Dr. Ramadoss will agree [for a compromise] in the morning, but some jackals would play spoilsport in between,” he said.
“We both discussed jointly taking up the signing authority. Dr. Ramadoss agreed to it 15 days ago. But later, he said he alone would have the signing authority. I did not agree to it,” Dr. Anbumani added.
He hailed his father as a social justice reformist, and a national leader, and said a seat had been reserved for him at the meeting.
“I am not a stubborn person— I always say, let’s work together. I have no desire for the leadership post. If I had wanted, I would have taken it 15 years ago. I did not join this party for posts or responsibilities. My goal is to take society to the next level,” he said.
“I never imagined such a situation would arise. I am firm in my stand, but not stubborn,” Dr. Anbumani said, adding: “We have now made it clear that the DMK should not come back to power. It is important to stick to that stance.”
Resolutions passed
Another resolution warned of protest, if internal reservations for Vanniyars were not announced.
A slew of resolutions were passed, including ones demanding the conduct of caste census in Tamil Nadu, and condemning the DMK government for its alleged failures on women’s safety, and law and order.
Others sought full prohibition in the State, reinstatement of the old pension scheme for government employees, and a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.
Published – August 10, 2025 12:28 am IST
