Days after PMK founder S. Ramadoss announced that he would be retiring from active politics, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday was unanimously elected as the party’s president at the General Council meeting held in Mamallapuram here near Chennai. PMK leader S. Vadivel Ravanan was unanimously elected to the post of General Secretary, and M. Thilagabama was unanimously elected as the Treasurer.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Anbumani once again slammed the Congress and the BJP for “conspiring” against Tamil Nadu in the issue of building a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river.
“Congress and BJP are conspiring together against Tamil Nadu. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is coming to Tamil Nadu on August 1. Let him say that Tamil Nadu’s rights on Cauvery river will be protected. Will he say that? There are many agreements and court orders. He spoke against the Great Nicobar project. I understand his opposition against destroying forests. Rahul Gandhi should oppose Mekedatu dam which would destroy 12,500 acres of forest land,” he said.
Dr. Anbumani further reiterated the party’s commitment to ensure a ban on NEET while criticising the UPA II government led by the Congress, of which the DMK was a part, in 2010.
“The PMK will start a campaign calling for a total prohibition in the State, which will be led by Pasumai Thayagam president and PMK floor leader, Sowmiya Anbumani. The campaign will run for 2 years starting on October 2. The Tamil Nadu government has recently notified privatisation of liquor shops. We congratulated you when you shut down liquor shops in the Assembly. Now, this. In the villages in Krishnagiri district, I was told that Tasmac liquor is being sold illegally in certain homes. If you eliminate corruption in public sector units and do reforms, you can earn ₹30,000 crore a year. You have started well, now continue with reforms. Don’t talk about allowing resto-bars. Shut it down,” he said.
Dr. Anbumani urged the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to convene an all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu. “Take us to New Delhi and lets meet the Prime Minister,” he said. He also ruled out any alliance with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Published – July 30, 2026 12:15 am IST
