If one goes only by the huge crowds that kept entering Mamallapuram on May 11, the Vanniyar Youth Conference should be declared a definite success.

However, PMK founder S. Ramadoss’ concluding speech — wherein he had hinted at “groups being formed within the party” and insisted that he would take the final call on an alliance — has taken the focus away from the success of the conference to festering internal disagreements over who is likely to wield power in the PMK, especially with the Assembly election being less than a year away.

Speaking after his son and PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss hit out at the DMK over the caste census and internal reservation for Vanniyars within the MBC quota, Dr. Ramadoss began his address with a stern warning to the DMK, but digressed towards the non-performance of his party’s office-bearers and “factions in the PMK”.

“You are not working hard. I am ready to work hard even at this age. Our people are not voting for us. It should not be the case. I will decide on the alliance, you don’t have to worry about it. We are tracking your progress. You cannot do anything by resorting to flattery from now on. There are alliances within the party. You correct yourself…,” Dr. Ramadoss had said.

When asked why Dr. Ramadoss was so critical of the party’s functioning, giving rise to speculations of unresolved issues between him and Dr. Anbumani, a section of second line leaders in the party said the general feeling was that Dr. Anbumani was the future.

While agreeing that there were leaders in the party who still backed Dr. Ramadoss, a senior leader said that the PMK’s second line leaders felt that, of late, Dr. Ramadoss was “putting them in a difficult situation”. He, however, stressed that the leaders gave Dr. Ramadoss the respect he deserved.

“We are tolerating what he [Dr. Ramadoss] is saying these days. He should have ended his speech after the demand for [internal] reservation. However, we as partymen, have heard this speech within four walls so many times. It is only new to you [members of the public]. We will give him the respect he deserves, but the party is firmly with Dr. Anbumani. After all, a decision on the alliance will be taken by the general council…; and we are a part of it. The majority of us will not accept any unilateral decision taken by him [Dr. Ramadoss],” the senior leader said.

Another well-known PMK leader said Dr. Ramadoss’ speech was “shocking” and typical of “old men in every household”.

“His speech was shocking for us. He is a veteran leader, who has achieved a lot in Tamil Nadu politics. But here [at the conference], he was speaking about personal issues that had no relevance to party, cadre or the community. The party will have to move on with Dr. Anbumani,” he added.