The growing tensions between PMK founder S. Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani Ramadoss, have now become public. On Thursday, the elder Ramadoss declared himself the new party president and stated that Anbumani would take on the role of working president. However, Anbumani’s supporters rejected the move, arguing that only the current president, Anbumani, has the authority to make such appointments or alter the party’s structure.

Speaking to reporters from his farmhouse in Thailapuram, Ramadoss, 85, said he had decided to return to active leadership of the party ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. He mentioned that the move came after repeated requests from young members urging him to retake charge. "I will reveal more details soon," he added, noting that the PMK's general council, executive council, and MLAs would be meeting to decide the next steps. Meanwhile, party treasurer M Thilagabama, a supporter of Anbumani, criticised the decision, calling it a "gross misstep".

In a social media post, she expressed her continued support for Anbumani’s leadership and voiced concern over the decline of internal democracy within the party. "Until now, every decision taken by Ayya (Ramadoss) was commendable and in the interest of the people," she wrote. "... (but) this particular decision is a grave misstep ... If we are truly committed to safeguarding the welfare of our society, especially in the current political scenario, it can be achieved only under the leadership of Dr Anbumani. Let us move forward, united, along the visionary path he has shown."

Supporters of Anbumani gathered outside Ramadoss’s residence, urging him to reverse his decision. At the same time, Ramadoss’s supporters showed up, resulting in heated exchanges between the two groups.

"We came to respectfully request Ayya to reconsider. Every party functionary knows Anbumani is the future," stated R Raju, a 41-year-old PMK member from Tindivanam. Echoing this view, another supporter of Anbumani said, "The party founder has no role in appointments. Chinna Ayya (Anbumani) is the president and will continue to lead the party."

The disagreement first came out in the open on December 28, 2024, when a public argument broke out on stage over appointing P Mukundan, Anbumani’s nephew, as the youth wing secretary of the party. Ramadoss proposed his grandson for the role, but Anbumani opposed the decision.