PMK has only one leader, one HQ: Ramadoss

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss said that the party only has one leader, himself, and only one headquarters, which is in Thailapuram — and that whoever undertakes a padayatra, independent of his leadership, would not be accepted by the party cadre and people.

“Their (padayatra) exercise would only be futile,” he said, in a reference to his estranged son Anbumani Ramadoss, who has undertaken a 100-day march across Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to reporters at his Thailapuram residence, Mr. Ramadoss said that as far as the PMK is concerned, it only has one leader and one headquarters, based in Thailapuram. He also appealed to the media to ignore any announcements made by those “taking a stand contrary to the party’s leadership.”

He said the party had lodged a formal complaint over the padayatra with the Director-General of Police and the Home Secretary, and that they were also aware of the objection raised by the party.

Referring to the alleged planting of a bugging device at his residence, Mr. Ramadoss said a complaint was lodged with the police and the purported device was also handed over to them. The Cybercrime wing of the Tamil Nadu police is one of the best in the country and it could have easily detected as to who had planted the device in two days, he remarked.

He hoped that early action would be taken and the investigation into the complaint would be expedited.