SALEM: PMK state coordinator M Karthi, who is aligned with the Anbumani Ramadoss faction, on Tuesday said that the party's electoral alliance would be announced before the Pongal festival.
Speaking to reporters a day after the PMK's general council meeting held in Salem under the leadership of party founder S Ramadoss, Karthi questioned its validity, asserting that it did not conform to party rules. He alleged that executive committee members were made to sit in place of general council members and demanded that the party release the list of participants to establish its legitimacy.
Karthi also alleged that Anbumani Ramadoss was subjected to derogatory and disrespectful remarks by members of the Ramadoss family during the meeting. Warning against such attacks, he said the Anbumani faction would respond firmly if similar comments were made in public again.
Maintaining that only Anbumani Ramadoss and the party's general secretary were empowered to convene a general council meeting, Karthi claimed that S Ramadoss was acting at the behest of a few individuals.
Describing as "invalid" the resolution removing Sowmiya Anbumani as president of Pasumai Thayagam, an environmental and social organisation affiliated with the PMK, Karthi criticised the appointment of Sugandhan to key roles, alleging nepotism.
Accusing GK Mani and Salem West MLA R Arul of trying to split the party, Karthi said cadres who attended the Salem meeting expecting an alliance announcement were left disappointed. While the Ramadoss faction itself had admitted that no alliance talks were under way, he claimed that Anbumani Ramadoss continued to actively engage in discussions with potential allies.
"PMK will be part of a winning alliance that will defeat the DMK, and the announcement will be made before Pongal," he said.
Meanwhile, Mettur MLA S Sadasivam, who also addressed the media, termed the Salem meeting as an event promoting the "politics of hatred" and alleged that the DMK had funded efforts to weaken the PMK.