PMK Chief Rules Out TVK Tie-Up, Says AIADMK Must Introspect After Bypoll Losses

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday dismissed speculation that his party might join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led alliance, describing reports of a possible political realignment as rumours.

Speaking to reporters here, Anbumani urged people not to believe such reports. "These are all rumours, so please don't believe them," he said, ruling out speculation about the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) aligning with the party led by actor-turned-politician Vijay.

The PMK was part of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held in April this year. However, the party maintained a neutral position during the recently concluded bypolls to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.

Commenting on the bypoll results, Anbumani said the outcome had favoured TVK, which secured victories in both constituencies. The results, he noted, had also dealt a setback to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which lost both seats and finished third in each constituency.

"The outcome was positive for TVK, which had gained two MLAs. And, for AIADMK, they had lost their two MLAs, and they have finished third in both the constituencies," he said.

Pointing out that the PMK and AIADMK had been allies under the NDA during the Assembly elections, Anbumani said the AIADMK leadership should examine the reasons behind its performance in the bypolls. He said every political party had its own organisational structure and approach, adding that others could not dictate how his party should function.

Anbumani also stressed that he had no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of other political parties, suggesting that the AIADMK should reflect on its own decisions and electoral strategy.

His remarks come amid speculation over possible political realignments in Tamil Nadu following the bypoll results, which saw TVK strengthen its legislative presence while the AIADMK suffered defeats in both constituencies. However, Anbumani's statement sought to put an end to reports linking the PMK with a possible TVK-led alliance.