Adding incremental strength to the opposition AIADMK-led NDA in Tamil Nadu, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) faction, led by Anbumani Ramadoss, returned to the alliance on Wednesday for the upcoming Assembly elections.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), flanked by Anbumani, announced before the media that the PMK had formally joined the alliance under his leadership and that seat-sharing with the PMK had been finalised. “This is a natural alliance. Already, we have the BJP on our side, and now the PMK too has joined us,” he said. However, he declined to reveal the number of seats allotted to the PMK, saying it would be announced later.
Before the media briefing at his residence here, EPS, accompanied by senior party colleagues, had a discussion with Anbumani and his delegation. The PMK, which had been part of the AIADMK in the 2021 Assembly elections, teamed up with the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. After the revival of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, the PMK is the first party to enter the coalition.
Since the AIADMK is yet to finalise seat-sharing with the BJP, speculation is rife over the quantum of seats given to the PMK. Reports indicate that the AIADMK had accommodated PMK by offering 17 Assembly seats and a Rajya Sabha seat. According to analysts, with the PMK remaining split, Anbumani can’t expect more. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the PMK had won only 5 of the 23 seats allotted to it.
The OBC Vanniyar-dominant party, with its support base in northern Tamil Nadu, is vertically split, with the other faction led by Anbumani’s father and party founder S Ramadoss. Even before the split, the PMK had been facing a dwindling support base and declining vote share. Yet, Anbumani struck a confident note, predicting a sweep by the NDA. “We have joined the AIADMK-BJP alliance, which our workers had desired. We will come to power. Resentment against the DMK government was very much visible during my state-wide yatra. Our alliance will win the election, and the AIADMK will form the next government,” he said. However, EPS and Anbumani cut short the briefing with folded hands when asked about the possibility of the two PMK factions coming together.
Reacting to the development, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman said, “It was the only option left for Anbumani, and he has joined the AIADMK alliance.”