Pattali Makkal Katchi (S. Ramadoss)
Pattali Makkal Katchi (S. Ramadoss)
The Pattali Makkal Katchi (S. Ramadoss) (transl. Proletarian People's Party (S. Ramadoss); abbreviated as PMK (S. Ramadoss)) is a splinter faction of the regional political party Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), based in Tamil Nadu. It is currently led by founder Dr. S. Ramadoss, who founded the original PMK that is currently led by his son, Anbumani. The faction emerged in 2025 after a major leadership conflict between Ramadoss and his son, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, over control of the party. While the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued communications recognising Anbumani’s camp, the Ramadoss faction rejects these claims, insisting that procedural norms were violated and that Anbumani’s term as president expired in May 2025.
Founding and early years
The parent party, PMK, was founded by Dr. S. Ramadoss on 16 July 1989, emerging out of the Vanniyar Sangam movement that had spearheaded the 1987 Vanniyar reservation agitation. The party sought to secure political representation for the Vanniyar community of northern Tamil Nadu.
Founding and early years
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the PMK aligned with different state and national coalitions, including the NDA and the UPA, often playing a pivotal role as a kingmaker in coalition politics.
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