The Election Commission of India (ECI) has warned that Pattali Makkal Katchi’s (PMK) iconic mango symbol could be frozen for allocation if the ongoing leadership dispute between founder S. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss continues unresolved.
During today’s Delhi High Court hearing on Ramadoss’s petition accusing Anbumani of usurping party control, ECI clarified it recognizes Anbumani as president until August 1, 2026, based on submitted documents showing party executives elected him, and advised civil courts for internal leadership challenges.
ECI emphasized that should both factions remain contentious, it would reject dual signatures on Forms A and Bārequired for candidate nominations and symbol authorizationāleading to the mango symbol’s suspension ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. Ramadoss’s counsel accepted this, opting to pursue civil remedies, closing the case as the court noted ECI relies solely on current records for recognition.
Anbumani’s faction welcomed ECI’s letter confirming his authority, urging focus on voter list revisions, while Ramadoss camp alleged flawed document acceptance. This rift risks PMK’s electoral prospects in Vanniyar-dominated areas, echoing past splits where ECI interventions preserved symbols only for unified leadership.