Ramadoss tells cadre he’s the boss; Anbumani asks them to intensify membership drive

Ahead of the PMK stepping into its 37^th year and celebrating its founding day on July 16, PMK founder S. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss are both wooing the cadre, hoping that they will decisively mobilise behind them and end the current leadership tussle.

While Dr. Ramadoss asserted himself as the leader of the PMK and dispelled doubts over the political futures of those who are with him, Dr. Anbumani sidestepped the question over leadership, urging the cadre to work towards unseating the DMK.

In a letter to cadre, Dr. Ramadoss said that there was no need to worry or have questions over their political future, adding that the 36^th year had brought new experiences to the party, referring to the unexpected stand-off between himself and Dr. Anbumani.

“I am your future. I am your present. I will always stand with you, like always. A brave lion’s feet won’t fail and its tenacity won’t reduce, and it will not stop roaring for the people,” he wrote.

Dr. Ramadoss added that: “I have travelled by foot to 95,000 villages and met ordinary people at their own homes, carried their burden on my shoulders. I am not asking you to travel to 95,000 villages but go to at least 95. Don’t go in a car; get closer to the people. Take on their burden and work towards resolving their issues. If you are unable to do it, call my home in Thailapuram, I will resolve it. I can do anything,” he said.

On the other hand, PMK president Dr. Anbumani, in a letter of his own to the cadre, said that the PMK could not solely exist as a party that only protests for people’s issues and resolves them, but should be in a position of power to realise the people’s needs and demands.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss.
| Photo Credit:
C. VENKATACHALAPATHY

Mobilising the party machinery to fight the 2026 State Assembly election by urging them to intensify the membership drive, which began on May 30, Dr. Anbumani said: “If the PMK is to capture power in the State, the party must be strong. We must complete the membership drive, appoint booth agents, and apprise the new members on the PMK’s contribution to ensuring social justice and resolving people’s problems through protests.”