Chennai, 16 December (H.S.) The internal power struggle within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has intensified, with party founder S. Ramadoss signaling his intention to keep all alliance options open—including initiating talks with the ruling DMK—in the wake of a deepening rift with his son, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss.

Sources indicate that S. Ramadoss has conveyed to well-wishers that he will neither align with Anbumani in the future nor campaign alongside him, expressing a desire for their factions to operate as separate entities open to aligning with any principal ally.

Despite Anbumani's public anti-DMK stance, senior DMK functionaries have acknowledged that Poll talk with Ramadoss is on. The DMK is reportedly moving to resolve issues with its long-time ally VCK, led by Thol Thirumavalavan, who has been openly at odds with the PMK's Vanniyar politics in the state's northern districts. The PMK holds significant political influence in northern districts such as Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Cuddalore.

Escalating Father-Son Conflict : The public and legal sparring between the father and son points to a significant split: Legal Action: S. Ramadoss has initiated legal actions against Anbumani, including filing complaints with the Delhi police and the CBI alleging document forgery. Administrative Move: He has also petitioned the Tamil Nadu DGP regarding Anbumani's faction collecting applications and fees from poll aspirants.

Next Meeting: Ramadoss has convened a meeting of his faction's administrative committee on December 17 to decide their next course of action. Meanwhile, Anbumani's associate, K. Balu, publicly dismissed the Ramadoss faction as being in a helpless situation, asserting confidence that the faction headed by Anbumani will be part of a winning alliance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary