Ramadoss reappoints GK Mani’s son as PMK’s youth wing chief
The internal turmoil within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) escalated when party founder Dr. S. Ramadoss announced the reappointment of Tamilkumaran, son of honorary president G.K. Mani, as the president of the party’s youth wing.
This move intensifies the ongoing leadership conflict between Ramadoss and his son, former Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.
Tamilkumaran’s return to the youth wing leadership follows a period of internal disputes. Previously, he had stepped down, leading to the appointment of Ramadoss’s grandson, Mukundan, to the position.
However, persistent infighting and unresolved leadership issues prompted Ramadoss to reinstate Tamilkumaran, a decision that underscores the deepening factionalism within the party.
The rift between father and son has been marked by significant developments. In April 2025, Ramadoss removed Anbumani from the position of party president, citing allegations of anti-party activities and a failure to adhere to party discipline.
Anbumani’s faction contested this move, asserting that only the party’s general council had the authority to make such decisions. This disagreement led to separate public meetings and a dispute over the party’s registered address with the Election Commission.
Further escalating tensions, Anbumani petitioned the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker to replace G.K. Mani as the party’s floor leader, proposing Dharmapuri MLA S.P. Venkateshwaran as his successor.
This petition was supported by PMK MLAs C. Sivakumar and S. Sadhasivam, indicating a significant division within the party’s legislative wing.