My loyalty lies with PMK founder Ramadoss: Salem West MLA R. Arul
After recently expressing disappointment at the manner in which he was 'mocked', along with former PMK president G.K. Mani, at the party's Salem district general council meeting, Salem West MLA, R. Arul, on Sunday declared his loyalty would continue to be with the organisation's founder S. Ramadoss. There is an ongoing feud between Dr Ramadoss and his son and party 'president' Anbumani Ramadoss.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Arul expressed confidence that PMK's supporters would remain with the party and Dr. Ramadoss. 'None of the party men would leave the PMK. For me, Doctor Ayya (Ramadoss) will always come first. Dr. Anbumani will be my leader after that,' he said.
Mr. Arul said he was disappointed that he was mocked despite being admitted in the hospital. 'I cannot understand how GK Mani, one of our senior most leaders who was also hospitalised can be mocked in that manner. I was in jail, I have been arrested under Goondas Act for [taking up the cause of ] the party,' he said.
Mr. Arul further alleged a clique has been formed to attack and discredit those who are with Dr. Ramadoss and called those who spread canards for a debate about his contribution and sacrifice to the party.
'We are incensed and irked by attacks on Doctor Ayya when we are trying to resolve issues within the party,' he said. He would be willing to meet Dr. Anbumani and 'resolve any issues when the time is right'.
'We were close to a solution; Ayya said he was willing to give up his claim on party president with some conditions but this couldn't be achieved,' he said. The situation came to a head recently after Dr. Ramadoss declared he would be party president as long as he is alive. He had earlier said he would be handing over the leadership of the party after the 2026 assembly polls.
In response, Dr. Anbumani said that he would implement Dr. Ramadoss' ideology and policies as the party's president. Sources close to Dr. Anbumani said chances of reconciliation with those who are rejecting the present leadership are slim even if issues with Dr. Ramadoss is resolved.
'Dr. Anbumani is willing to reconcile with those who have the best interests of the party in their heart and mind. But it is tough to reconcile with those whose loyalties lie beyond the party...elsewhere,' the source said. The sources hoped his Padayatra scheduled to begin in last week of July will further strengthen his hold on the party.
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