Overview

• Anbumani Ramadoss expelled Salem West MLA R. Arul on July 2 under Rule No. 30 after he declined to apologise for media remarks deemed damaging
• S. Ramadoss declared on July 3 that only the party founder can remove primary members, effectively nullifying his son’s disciplinary decision
• The clash over bylaw powers has spawned rival office-bearer structures in multiple districts, entrenching factional divisions
• Senior PMK figures warn the leadership rift poses an existential risk and could undermine coordination before the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections
• Legislature Party leader G.K. Mani remains the only person authorised to recommend MLA removals to the Speaker, underscoring the governance impasse