PMK General Council Authorises S. Ramadoss to Decide on Electoral Alliance.jpeg)
Photo credit: The Hindu
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Pattanur (near Puducherry) | August 17, 2025-The special general council of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) convened on Sunday by the party’s founder Dr. S. Ramadoss resolved that he would continue as the president of the party and authorised him to decide on the party’s electoral alliances ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The meeting, held in Pattanur near Puducherry, adopted multiple resolutions touching upon electoral strategy, caste representation, social reforms, and state development issues.
Ramadoss Retains Party Leadership
According to the resolution, Ramadoss formally assumed charge as president after amendments to the party’s by-laws were approved by both the administrative and executive committees on May 30, 2025.
Party leaders said the move was intended to “strengthen the party and ensure victory” in the upcoming elections. This comes at a time when PMK is preparing to play a significant role in shaping alliances in Tamil Nadu’s complex political landscape.
Authority on Alliances
One of the most notable resolutions authorised Ramadoss to independently decide the party’s alliance strategy for the 2026 polls.
This effectively places alliance negotiations entirely in his hands, a sign that the cadre has extended full trust to the founder at a crucial juncture. PMK has historically aligned with both the DMK and AIADMK at different times, depending on political circumstances.
Observers say this decision could prove pivotal, given the fluid nature of Tamil Nadu’s electoral arithmetic and the emerging contest between national and regional parties.
Internal Reservations and Caste Census
The general council also passed a resolution warning of protests if the Tamil Nadu government fails to implement the 10.5% internal reservations for Vanniyars, a long-standing demand of the PMK.
The council further demanded the immediate conduct of a caste-wise census in the state. While several states have initiated or completed such exercises, PMK accused the Tamil Nadu government of deliberate delays.
“There should be no further delay, and the government must immediately conduct the census,” the resolution stated.
Social Demands: Prohibition and Drug Ban
Another major resolution called for the implementation of total prohibition across Tamil Nadu, citing the rise in heinous crimes, including rape and murder.
The council demanded a ban on the sale of ganja and other narcotics, reflecting the party’s consistent campaign for stricter controls on substance abuse.
Development and Infrastructure
On the development front, the general council urged:
- Construction of check dams across the Cauvery and other rivers to prevent wastage of water into the sea.
- Implementation of the long-pending Cauvery–Godavari river linking project to address irrigation and drinking water shortages.
- Revival of the Nandan canal system, a demand linked to better agricultural water management.
Pension, Workers’ Rights, and Statehood
Several resolutions focused on welfare and governance issues, including:
- Reinstatement of the old pension scheme for government employees.
- Regularisation of contract workers employed at NLC India Ltd.
- A demand for the retrieval of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka, reviving a decades-old Tamil Nadu political issue.
- Statehood for Puducherry, a demand consistently raised by parties in the Union Territory.
Political Significance
The PMK, which draws substantial support from the Vanniyar community, remains a critical player in Tamil Nadu’s coalition politics. By reasserting Ramadoss’s leadership and granting him authority over alliances, the party has signaled its intent to negotiate from a position of strength ahead of 2026.
Analysts note that the council’s emphasis on caste reservations, prohibition, and river-linking reflects PMK’s effort to consolidate its traditional base while addressing broader developmental issues.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The PMK general council meeting has reaffirmed S. Ramadoss’s central role in shaping the party’s future. By giving him sole authority on alliances, the cadre has signaled a clear strategy: unity within, leverage outside.
Whether this translates into decisive influence in Tamil Nadu’s 2026 elections will depend on how Ramadoss positions the PMK in the state’s highly competitive political landscape. But one thing is clear—the party is preparing for a louder voice in both electoral negotiations and policy debates.