In TN, father-son face-offs fuel power struggles in both MDMK and PMK
While Durai Vaiko is rebelling against his father giving prominence to a long-term loyalist, Anbumani Ramadoss is fighting his father for party presidency
The DMK once captivated Tamil Nadu with its saga of sibling rivalry and succession battles, but the spotlight has now shifted to two small yet fiery players: the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).
Both parties, led by father-son duos, are entangled in internal feuds, underscoring the deeply familial nature of Tamil Nadu’s politics. While MDMK MP Durai Vaiko has tendered his resignation, demanding that his father Vaiko sack a long-time loyalist, the PMK navigates founder-leader S Ramadoss’s power grab that has pitted him against his son and former Union minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
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In both parties, the stage seems set for a showdown that could reshape the future of the two parties and their father-son leaders.
MDMK fissures
The MDMK’s crisis erupted when Durai Vaiko, its principal secretary and Trichy MP, announced his resignation, citing a bitter feud with deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya, Vaiko’s long-time thalapathy (lieutenant).
Durai’s resignation letter, a blend of emotional outpouring and pointed accusations, revealed a deep-seated rivalry. He accused Sathya of working against the party's interests and trying to tarnish its image, which he claimed intensified after he was appointed as headquarters secretary in 2021.
Party insiders have described the conflict as a “personal ego clash” that simmered silently before exploding into public view.
Durai’s grievances are layered. Party insiders suggest he feels overshadowed by Sathya, a stalwart who has stood by Vaiko since the MDMK’s inception in 1994, when Vaiko split from the DMK.
Durai vs Sathya
Sathya’s prominence — evident in his dominating posters at party events — has reportedly irked Durai, who seeks greater recognition from his father and cadres.
The MDMK and PMK share uncanny similarities. The feuds that have hit the two parties are rooted in ego, loyalty and the struggle for control, revealing striking parallels.
The tipping point came at last Saturday’s MDMK Employees Federation meeting, where Durai and Sathya clashed openly in Vaiko’s presence over Sathya’s demand for visibility. His supporters were instructed to curb Durai’s prominence, fuelling the perception that Vaiko favours his loyalist over his son.
Durai’s resignation is seen by analysts as a strategic gambit, possibly a veiled direction to the party's district leaders to sideline Sathya and elevate his own stature.
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Vaiko’s dilemma
A resolution from the MDMK’s Trichy urban wing to expel Sathya reflects Durai’s stock among some cadres. Durai also demanded the sacking of Sathya, whom he called a “cancer”.
However, Vaiko’s apparent preference for Sathya complicates matters.
On his son’s exit, Vaiko said: “It’s very shocking; I learned of Durai’s resignation through TV.” The comment underscored a communication gap, adding a layer of personal drama to the political fallout.
Despite resigning, Durai has vowed to remain the MDMK’s “first volunteer” and serve as the Trichy MP, signalling he is not exiting the stage but merely rewriting his role.
PMK infighting
Across the political spectrum, the PMK is staging its own family drama, one with a different flavour but equal intensity.
Launched in 1989 to champion the Vanniyar community, the PMK has been a family affair led by party founder S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss, a Rajya Sabha MP and former party president.
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On April 10, Ramadoss, at 85, reclaimed the presidency from Anbumani, demoting him as working president. The move, timed just before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Chennai, highlighted a generational power struggle.
Unlike the MDMK’s clash over a loyalist, the PMK’s feud centres on Ramadoss’ reluctance to cede control to Anbumani, who seeks greater authority, particularly in alliance decisions.
Ramadoss, wary of committing to an early alliance with the BJP-led NDA, believes his experience is crucial for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Anbumani is for a modern approach, emphasising his track record as a former Union health minister and his vision to expand the PMK’s influence.
Grandson’s entry
The tension surfaced dramatically at the party’s December 2024 general council meeting when Ramadoss appointed his grandson Mukundan as the youth wing president. Mukundan is the daughter of Ramadoss's elder daughter Gandhimathi.
Anbumani publicly slammed the move, questioning how his nephew Mukundan, a recent party entrant, could lead the youth wing, defying his father.
Ramadoss’s decision to reclaim the presidency was a direct response to Anbumani’s assertiveness. The son pushed back, asserting his party presidency as recognised by the Election Commission.
Defying father
“I will continue as leader and do whatever brings honour to my father,” he declared, announcing his oversight of the PMK’s Chithirai Nilavu festival on May 11.
This public tug-of-war has left the PMK cadre divided, with some backing Anbumani as “the future” with others rallying behind Ramadoss.
The PMK’s drama is intensified by its strategic importance in the NDA, with a 3.8 per cent vote share and five MLAs. Ramadoss’s move to reassert control reflects his belief that Anbumani’s decisions could jeopardise alliances, especially with the AIADMK-BJP alliance firming up.
Anbumani’s insistence on leading key events like Chithirai Thiruvizha suggests he’s staking his claim to the party’s future, even at the cost of familial harmony.
Striking parallels
Sons in Tamil Nadu’s political families often grapple with proving their worth against their fathers’ towering legacies.
The MDMK and PMK share uncanny similarities. The feuds that have hit the two parties are rooted in ego, loyalty and the struggle for control, revealing striking parallels.
First, both are family-run entities, with fathers Vaiko and S Ramadoss founding and steering the parties while their sons, Durai Vaiko and Anbumani Ramadoss, play leading roles.
Second, both are plagued by father-son tensions, with the sons perceiving their fathers as favouring other leaders over them.
Third, both parties have elevated their sons to parliamentary positions — Durai as Trichy MP and Anbumani as Rajya Sabha MP — cementing their political lineage.
Deep insecurities
