Rift in PMK: S Ramadoss removes son Anbumani from party; calls him unfit politician

VILLUPURAM: PMK founder S Ramadoss expelled his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, from the party after stripping him of the post of working president for indulging in unprecedented anti-party activities.Speaking to reporters after chairing the administrative council of the party at his farmhouse at Thailapuram near Tindivanam, Villupuram district, on Thursday, Ramadoss said the party’s disciplinary committee issued notices to Anbumani seeking his explanation on the 16 charges levelled against him. He said the deadline expired on September 10.“The committee sent notices on September 19 and twice thereafter.

However, Anbumani neither responded nor provided any explanation. This constitutes an admission that the charges are true. Therefore, we concluded that the accusations against him are valid and justified. Hence, Anbumani is removed from the position of working president and even from basic membership of the party,” he said.

Ramadoss said Anbumani acted independently without following the directions of the party leadership.

“He (Anbumani) does not possess the qualifications to be a politician. His actions have caused distress among party functionaries and cadres,” Ramadoss said.Ramadoss declared that no party official should have any contact with Anbumani. He warned of strict action against functionaries if they indulge in anti-party activities. The party followed democratic procedures and gave ample opportunities before expelling him from the party.The feud between the father and son came to the fore during the party’s general council in December last year when Ramadoss appointed his grandson, P Mukundan, as the party’s youth wing president. Anbumani, who was seated beside him, expressed his objection, asking how a person who joined the party just four months ago could be given such a post. He said he did not need him for his assistance. He expressed his displeasure by dropping the mic on the table.

Mukundan is the son of Anbumani’s elder sister, Gandhimathi.Later, Ramadoss demoted Anbumani to the post of working president from the post of president and declared himself as the president. However, Anbumani maintained he was elected as the president by the general council, which alone can remove him. Since then, the party functioned under two power centres.