AIADMK should introspect on bypoll outcome: Anbumani

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss. | Photo Credit: S. SIVA SARAVANAN The AIADMK should introspect on the results of the byelections to the Dharapuram and Madurantakam constituencies after finishing third in both seats, which it had won only five months ago, Pattali Makkal Katchi president and Rajya Sabha member Anbumani Ramadoss said on Saturday.“I do not want to interfere in another party’s internal affairs... the AIADMK has to find reasons for the results, since the party is part of the National Democratic Alliance,” he said. The PMK also is a constituent of the alliance.When asked if the neutral stand of the PMK had caused the AIADMK’s defeat in Madurantakam, Dr. Anbumani said it was the decision of his party’s office-bearers and cadre.“When there was a confidence motion in the Assembly, there was a section of AIADMK MLAs voting for and against it, while the PMK abstained. For the byelection, the PMK took a certain decision. For the next election, I don’t know,” he said.Dr. Anbumani said the bypoll was conducted in a fair manner, unlike in the past, when money was spent on food, alcohol, and clothes for votes.‘No alliance with TVK’“Please don’t believe in rumours,” he said, when queried about the talks doing the rounds that the PMK will join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government, with a ministerial berth, after the byelection.“The question of the PMK allying with the TVK does not arise. We are already in an alliance [NDA],” Dr. Anbumani added.On the Mekedatu Dam issue, the PMK president said while Tamil Nadu has not been found wanting legally in preventing Karnataka from proceeding with the “illegal” project, more political pressure has to be exerted on the Centre by the TVK Government (to rein in the upper riparian State).The water shortage is so acute that only 1.6 lakh acres as against the usual 12.5 lakh acres are under cultivation in Kuruvai season. Mekedatu Dam will precipitate matters even further, he said.“Absolutely,” he said, when asked if TVK was re-defining the political paradigm in Tamil Nadu, and appreciated the live telecast of proceedings in the Assembly, saying it was enabling people to gain knowledge about politics, government and governance., as also exposing those who malign others rather than discussing issues with data. Published - October 10, 2026 10:48 pm IST