VILLUPURAM: Marking his 88th birthday, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr. S. Ramadoss officially announced his complete retirement from political life (Arasiyal Thuravaram) on July 25, 2026, handing over full control of the party to his son and PMK President Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.Speaking to journalists at his residence in Thailapuram, Villupuram district, Dr. Ramadoss declared that he will no longer make political statements, participate in official party affairs, or interfere in PMK decisions going forward. “From today, I will not talk about politics, nor will I interfere,” he said. The unexpected announcement marks a major turning point for the PMK and the broader political landscape of Tamil Nadu.Ramadoss said party president Anbumani Ramadoss will independently handle all future political decisions, strategy, and administration of the party. The announcement follows a recent political reunion between father and son. The father-son duo had briefly parted ways and led separate factions during the 2026 assembly elections. With Ramadoss stepping back, the primary leadership and decision-making responsibilities will rest entirely on Anbumani.Ramadoss leaves behind a four-decade political legacy deeply tied to Tamil Nadu’s social justice history. Starting as a medical practitioner in rural Villupuram, he gained widespread popularity providing low-cost healthcare. In 1980, he established the Vanniyar Sangam to safeguard the rights of the backward communities.His statewide agitations eventually led to the creation of the Most Backward Classes (MBC) reservation category in Tamil Nadu, securing educational and employment quotas for marginalized groups. Later, he converted the movement into a political party, PMK, in 1989, leading Tamil nationalist and social justice advocacy across various state and national coalitions.
