Ayya Pattali Makkal Katchi
Indian political party
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The Ayya Pattali Makkal Katchi (transl. Proletarian People's Party); abbreviated as APMK) is a splinter faction of the regional political party Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), based in Tamil Nadu. It is currently led by founder Dr. S. Ramadoss, who founded the original PMK that is currently led by his son, Anbumani. The faction emerged in 2025 after a major leadership conflict between Ramadoss and his son, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, over control of the party. While the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued communications recognising Anbumani’s camp, the Ramadoss faction rejects these claims, insisting that procedural norms were violated and that Anbumani’s term as president expired in May 2025.[4][5] This faction got the name Ayya Pattali Makkal Katchi and symbol as Gas Cylinder by the Election Commission of India in 2026[1].
Ayya Pattali Makkal Katchi[1] | |
|---|---|
| |
| President | S. Ramadoss |
| General Secretary | Murali Sankar |
| Treasurer | Syed Mansoor Ushen |
| Founder | S. Ramadoss |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Split from | Pattali Makkal Katchi |
| Headquarters | Tindivanam, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu |
| Ideology | Casteism Conservatism Right-wing populism |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| ECI Status | Unrecognised Party[2] |
| Seats in Rajya Sabha | 0 / 245
|
| Seats in Lok Sabha | 0 / 543
|
| Seats in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | 2 / 234 [3]
|
| Election symbol | |
 Gas Cylinder | |
| Party flag | |
 | |
| Website | |
| pmkofficial | |
History
Founding and early years
The parent party, PMK, was founded by Dr. S. Ramadoss on 16 July 1989, emerging out of the Vanniyar Sangam movement that had spearheaded the 1987 Vanniyar reservation agitation. The party sought to secure political representation for the Vanniyar community of northern Tamil Nadu.[6]
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the PMK aligned with different state and national coalitions, including the NDA and the UPA, often playing a pivotal role as a kingmaker in coalition politics.[7]
2025 tensions and split
In early 2025, tensions between Ramadoss and his son Anbumani intensified over party appointments, particularly the elevation of Ramadoss’s grandson P. Mukundan as youth wing president.[8] In April 2025, Ramadoss demoted Anbumani from president to working president, sparking a leadership contest.[9]
Anbumani’s camp organised a general council meeting in August 2025 that extended his term and secured ECI communication recognising his leadership and office bearers until August 2026.[10] The Ramadoss faction disputes the legality of this meeting, claiming it was unauthorised and against party by-laws. They argue that Anbumani’s tenure ended on 28 May 2025.[11]
Legislative strength
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly election, the undivided PMK won five seats. Following the 2025 split:
- Three MLAs S. P. Venkateshwaran of Dharmapuri, S. Sadhasivam of Mettur, and C. Sivakumar of Mailam declared support for Anbumani.[12]
- Two MLAs, including R. Arul of Salem West and senior leader G. K. Mani of Pennagaram, aligned with Dr. S. Ramadoss.[13]
Ideology
Current office bearers
| S.No | Member | Party Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | S. Ramadoss | President |
| 2. | Srikanthi Parasuraman | Executive President of PMK |
| 3. | Murali Sankar | General Secretary of PMK |
| 4. | Syed Mansoor Ushen | Treasurer of PMK |
| 5. | G. K. Mani | MLA, Pennagaram, Honorary Party President, Former Party President (1997–2022) |
| 6. | R. Arul | MLA, Salem West |
See also
- Pattali Makkal Katchi
- S. Ramadoss
- Anbumani Ramadoss
- Vanniyar Sangam