Ramadoss removes his son Anbumani from PMK’s primary membership over ‘anti-party activities’

The tussle between Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss and his son, Anbumani Ramadoss reached a crescendo on Thursday (September 11, 2025), when the former announced the expulsion of party working president Anbumani from the PMK’s primary membership with immediate effect.

Announcing the decision at a press conference at his Thailapuram residence near Tindivanam, he said the Disciplinary Action Committee of the PMK had levelled 16 charges against Mr. Anbumani. A show-cause notice was served on him seeking explanation, but he did not respond to it. Though Mr. Anbumani was granted extension of time to reply to the notice, he preferred neither submitting his written explanation nor appearing in person to respond to the charges.

This only goes to prove that Mr. Anbumani has no valid grounds to present his reply, and in accordance with the party bylaws and rules, he has been removed from the post of working president as well as the primary membership of the party, Mr. Ramadoss said.

He also accused Mr. Abumani of indulging in “anti-party activities”, which damaged the reputation of the organisation in a manner not seen since its inception. He appealed to party workers not to have any truck with Mr. Anbumani and that he would not hesitate to take action against those who act against the decision.

The party founder said that all those who were now with Mr. Anbumani were once groomed by him, and decorated with party posts. However, they had joined hands with Mr. Anbumani for certain reasons and indulged in anti-party activities, even creating an impression of a separate faction. “Though I am upset with them, I am ready to forgive them,” he said, adding that he had helped them beyond their expectations.

Mr. Ramadoss claimed that there was no setback to the PMK due to the expulsion of Mr. Anbumani. Though several senior leaders in the party and other political leaders had advised Mr. Anbumani on several occasions, he refused to listen to them. He also charged Mr. Anbumani with having functioned in “a whimsical manner” and said he lacked basic qualities of leadership. The decision to expel him was taken in the interest of the growth and development of the party, he said.

Mr. Ramadoss said that Mr. Anbumani could start his own party now that he has been expelled from the PMK. “This party was started by an individual [Ramadoss] and no one has the right to stake claim to it, even if it is my son,” he said.