Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss has conveyed to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu that the party’s Dharmapuri MLA S.P. Venkateshwaran will replace Pennagaram MLA G.K. Mani as the party’s floor leader in the House.

A communication in this regard was sent to Mr. Appavu on Thursday (September 25, 2025). The letter from Mr. Anbumani stated that a decision on replacing the floor leader was taken unanimously in a meeting of PMK MLAs held in Panaiyur near Chennai on September 24. Mettur MLA S. Sadhasivam will be the deputy floor leader and Mailam MLA C. Sivakumar will be the party’s whip in the House, it said.

Mr. Mani is a supporter of PMK founder S. Ramadoss, who enjoys the backing of two of the party’s five MLAs.

Speaking to reporters on the Secretariat premises in Chennai, PMK spokesperson and Mr. Anbumani’s supporter, K. Balu, said another letter submitted to the office of the Speaker reiterated the party’s previous communication intimating the expulsion of Salem West MLA R. Arul from the PMK as well as his removal from the post of party whip.

“Mr. Arul should be considered only as an MLA. He has been removed from all his positions in the party. He cannot be termed a representative of the party,” Mr. Balu said. He added the PMK has submitted a copy of the communication from the Election Commission of India (ECI) “recognising” Mr. Anbumani as the “PMK president.”

The party has also requested the allotment of a seat in the front row for Mr. Venkateshwaran. “The Speaker would soon take a decision on the letters we have submitted,” Mr. Balu said.

When asked if it was appropriate to remove Mr. Mani, who had served as party president for 25 years [from 1998], Mr. Balu said: “We have relieved him only from the post of the party’s floor leader.”

Though he acknowledged Mr. Mani’s long association with the party, Mr. Balu said: “Some of his recent comments have been regrettable. They went against the rules of the party and its interests. This was the decision arrived at by the party MLAs.”

Additional security for PMK founder

In another development, Salem West MLA R. Arul submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, seeking additional protection for PMK founder S. Ramadoss and the installation of a metal detector at his Thailapuram residence to screen visitors. The security cover being provided now was not sufficient, he contended.

In his representation to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Arul referred to “crises” and “ambiguous situations” in the party and pointed out that Mr. Ramadoss has been travelling frequently. Mr. Arul sought additional protection for Mr. Ramadoss during his travel.