Feud between Dr. Ramadoss, Dr. Anbumani creates deep rooted factionalism in PMK

PMK’s senior leaders have expressed fears that the ongoing feud in the PMK between the founder S. Ramadoss and party president Anbumani Ramadoss is likely to cause deep rooted factionalism within the party, which may persist even if the father and son bury their differences at some point. 

Sources in the party said that the ‘competitive’ appointments made by Dr. Ramadoss and Dr. Anbumani to key party posts from district level right down to the grassroots have already created two party structures. 

“Several districts today have two presidents and two district secretaries and two sets of lower level office bearers. Even if the father and son make up, there would be confusion and conflict over who will keep the party post. While the party men would eventually compromise, an unnecessary rivalry has been created at the district level,” said a district level office bearer, who hasn’t taken sides in the feud. 

A senior PMK leader said that he ‘cannot see a solution’ in sight while admitting that the party is split down the middle, and it could give an opportunity for other parties to exploit. 

“I cannot see this conflict ending in the near future. There is a perception battle going on...father and son trading accusations against each other everyday is not helping the party at all. The creation of two different factions is bound to spur issues....at the time of elections. Assuming that the issues at the top are resolved, the unhappy faction in the party can be used by other parties to cause confusion,” said the senior leader.

Another PMK leader said that it would be tough to placate and retain district-level officer bearers, who belong to different factions, so that the election campaigning is carried out effectively.