SALEM: “Nearly 95% of PMK cadres are with me,” said party founder Dr S Ramadoss on Monday, asserting his authority and confidence after being unanimously elected as the party president at the PMK general council meeting held in Salem.
Addressing party members, Ramadoss said the general council and executive committee had authorized him to decide the party’s electoral alliance for the upcoming elections and expressed confidence that PMK would be part of a “winning alliance.”
He added that discussions on alliance options were already underway and assured cadres that the final decision would benefit the party and its supporters.
The general council meeting, attended by key functionaries and cadres from across the state, also elected G K Mani as honorary president and Srikanthi Parasuraman as working president. As many as 27 resolutions were passed, including one granting Ramadoss full authority to finalize the party’s alliance strategy. One of the key resolutions also removed Sowmiya Anbumani as president of Pasumai Thayagam and appointed Srikanthi Parasuraman as its new president.
Taking a dig at his son and former party president Anbumani Ramadoss, he said a small group was attempting to undermine the party using money and misinformation but asserted that such efforts would not succeed. “Those trying to weaken the party do not even have the support of 5% of the cadres,” he said, adding that the party’s grassroots strength remained firmly behind him.
He reiterated that he had never sought positions for himself and said his only objective was the welfare of the party and its supporters. Ramadoss also expressed emotional distress over the internal rift but said he drew strength from the party cadres and supporters who continued to stand by him.
“The alliance I form will be a winning alliance,” Ramadoss said, calling upon party workers to convey the same message to the public. He also reiterated PMK’s commitment to securing its long-pending demands, including reservation-related issues.
The meeting was attended by senior leaders, district secretaries, and a large number of party cadres, marking a significant moment for the party amid ongoing internal turmoil and heightened political interest ahead of the elections.