Latest news with #Ramadoss
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNCC chief meets S Ramadoss, says only a courtesy call, no alliance talks
VILLUPURAM: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai met PMK founder S Ramadoss at his residence in Thailapuram near Tindivanam on Friday. The meeting of a leader of the DMK-led alliance amid the intense leadership tussle under way within the PMK between Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss raised eyebrows, especially since Anbumani recently accused the ruling DMK of being behind the tussle. But Ramadoss had later refuted it. Selvaperunthagai, however, clarified to the media, that the meeting, which lasted roughly for about 30 minutes, was purely a courtesy call. 'There is no political angle. Dr Ramadoss has been in public life for 40 years and I met him out of respect,' he said, adding that he enquired about the leader's health. TNCC vice-president K Vijayan accompanied him. 'There was no discussion about alliances. If the PMK is to join the DMK-led alliance, only Chief Minister M K Stalin can decide that,' Selvaperunthagai said. He said Anbumani's remarks blaming the DMK for the PMK's internal rift reflected his lack of understanding. 'Dr Ramadoss is a seasoned politician who will take the right decision in Tamil Nadu's interest.' Selvaperunthagai said the meeting happened while en route to Chennai after attending the centenary celebration of late Congress leader Ilayaperumal at Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore, on Thursday, where senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was present.
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
TNCC president calling on Ramadoss fuels speculation of PMK allying with DMK-front
At a time when speculation is rife that the PMK may split — one faction under its founder S. Ramadoss and another under his son Anbumani Ramadoss — and possibly join rival electoral alliances, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai on Friday met Dr. Ramadoss at his residence in Thailapuram in Villupuram. The unannounced meeting created a flutter in Tamil Nadu's political circles. Mr. Selvaperunthagai told The Hindu it was a courtesy call and claimed that he decided to visit Thailapuram as he happened to pass by that route. 'Is it a crime to meet him?' he jokingly asked, before adding, 'We didn't speak anything about politics or alliance,' he added. However, sources in the TNCC said Dr. Ramadoss was keeping all options open, including the possibility of contesting the 2026 State Assembly election under DMK leadership. While those who have known Dr. Ramadoss for many years argue the veteran leader, through such meetings, is trying to show to his son who remains the boss, it is also possible he is simply keeping his options open to improve the party's bargaining power. 'We are with the DMK but there are misgivings and issues that need to be addressed. DMK doesn't accommodate our requests, and we are facing a challenge when it comes to nurturing our party. There is a possibility that the Congress and other parties in the alliance could raise the issue of power sharing in the 2026 State government. Such meetings give heft to the demand. If AIADMK has already agreed to it with the BJP [AIADMK has not endorsed the BJP's claims], why not the DMK?' asked a senior Congress leader. Sources close to Dr. Ramadoss swore there was no conversation about politics during the meeting. 'In fact, we are hoping issues between the father and son would be resolved soon and things would get back to normal,' a source said. If at all Dr. Ramadoss joins the DMK-Congress alliance, it would make the VCK uncomfortable. Its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, has time and again, reiterated the VCK will not be in an alliance featuring PMK or BJP. In fact, it was Dr. Ramadoss who tried to mobilise the intermediate caste organisations against the Scheduled Castes accusing them of misusing prevention of atrocities act against SC/ST and alleging Dalit youth of ensnaring intermediate caste girls in the name of love. VCK general secretary D. Ravikumar, however, said, 'We welcome anyone who decides to walk out of the NDA fold and embrace secularism at a time when there is a threat to it. Whether he is genuine in opposing the BJP or just trying to create demand for himself and PMK? The doubts persist looking at his history.' Those close to Dr. Anbumani agreed that leaders from other parties meeting Dr. Ramadoss certainly improves his stature, but that alone wasn't enough. 'An overwhelming majority of the party's office-bearers are with Dr. Anbumani. Only he has the power to decide and sign on Forms A and B of the candidates. So, there is no question of the PMK contesting the election as two factions. The party will not split,' he said.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu Congress chief meets NDA ally party founder, says DMK alliance intact
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai met PMK founder S Ramadoss at his Thailapuram residence near Tindivanam on Friday, sparking speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2026 Assembly any political discussions, Selvaperunthagai told reporters that the visit was purely to enquire about Ramadoss' health.'Why are you harping about alliance? I came here to call on Ramadoss and enquire about his health. We did not discuss politics,' he Reiterating that the DMK-led alliance remains strong, the TNCC chief said, 'I didn't meet to talk about alliance. It is for our alliance leader Stalin to decide and announce. The DMK alliance is intact and it will form the government again in 2026.'He also lashed out at the AIADMK for remaining silent over the BJP and Hindu Munnani allegedly insulting former Chief Minister CN Annadurai at the Murugan devotees' conference in Madurai. 'They have become submissive to the BJP. They are afraid to boldly criticise the BJP or even issue a statement condemning the saffron party for insulting Anna,' he being asked whether the meeting signals Ramadoss moving towards the DMK camp after having allied with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Selvaperunthagai responded, 'He is a matured politician. He does not tilt towards anyone and is capable of taking firm decisions.'advertisementThe PMK has been witnessing internal tensions lately, with Ramadoss reportedly at odds with his son Anbumani Ramadoss over the party's leadership and direction.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘PMK under my control, tickets only for loyalists' : S Ramadoss
VILLUPURAM: Asserting that he held complete authority over the party, PMK founder S Ramadoss has said only those who stood by him in the ongoing tussle with his son and party president Anbumani Ramadoss and those who attended the consultative meeting held at his residence in Thailapuram on Wednesday would be considered to contest the 2026 Assembly election. Addressing the media after the meeting, Sr Ramadoss said the PMK's electoral alliance is yet to be finalised. 'I can't reveal more at the moment, but it will be a good, distinct, and victorious alliance,' he said. The meeting was attended by district secretaries, state-level functionaries, and party leaders appointed recently by Ramadoss. These appointments have not been recognised by a majority of functionaries in Anbumani's camp. PMK honorary president and Assembly floor leader GK Mani was notably absent due to health reasons. Among the party's four MLAs, three have expressed support for Anbumani, while Salem West MLA R Arul backs Sr Ramadoss. On Wednesday, Ramadoss announced Arul's elevation as joint general secretary of the party. 'Those who attended this meeting are the future MLAs. I have full authority,' Ramadoss said. When asked about his critical remarks made against leaders of the Dravidian movement 'Periyar' EV Ramasamy and CN Annadurai at the Murugan conference in Madurai, Ramadoss, after a long pause, said, 'No one should be insulted,' without elaborating. Meanwhile, MLA Arul, reacting to Anbumani's insinuation that his recent hospitalisation was an excuse to skip a district-level meeting, said, 'Would someone get admitted to a hospital just to avoid a meeting? The cause was mental stress.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
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 the source said. The sources hoped his Padayatra scheduled to begin in last week of July will further strengthen his hold on the party.
