Tamil Nadu: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder expels son from party ahead of 2026 polls

Ramadoss, 85, and Anbumani have been sparring since over appointments in the party. In April, Ramadoss removed his son Anbumani from his position as PMK’s president and took over the party. The feud escalated in August when he accused Anbumani of planting a bug in his office, a claim currently being investigated by the police.

Leaders of the BJP, the AIADMK, and family friends tried to mediate between the two most powerful people in one of the state’s largest caste-based parties, but their efforts failed. “The weed called Anbumani has been removed,” Ramadoss said at a press conference held at his residence in Thailapuram in Villupuram district. He added that he is ready to forgive those who supported Anbumani and take them back.

To be sure, Anbumani is unlikely to accept the expulsion and may well challenge his father for control of the party. He has thus far remained mostly silent and on Thursday continued with his 100-day padayatra in northern parts of Tamil Nadu, another point of contention between the two, with Ramadoss opposing the march.