Chennai: In a major political twist ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Madras High Court is set to hear a dramatic case involving the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). The party’s founder, Dr. S. Ramadoss, has filed a writ petition against his own son and the party’s current president, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.
The dispute is over the control of the party and its famous ‘Mango’ election symbol. This legal battle signals a potential split in one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential political families.
What is the Case About?
Dr. S. Ramadoss has approached the High Court to challenge a communication issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI had sent an official letter regarding the allotment of the ‘Mango’ symbol to Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.
The founder contends that the ECI should have communicated with him instead, as he claims to be the lawful leader of the party. He is seeking a court order to direct the ECI to issue a fresh communication recognizing his leadership for the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
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Key Allegations: Expired Tenure and “Forged” Documents
The petition contains serious allegations regarding the internal elections of the PMK. Dr. Ramadoss argues that his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, is no longer the valid president of the party.
- Expired Term: According to the founder, Anbumani was appointed as president for a fixed three-year term which began on May 28, 2022, and ended in May 2025.
- No Extension Clause: The petitioner states that the party’s constitution does not allow for an extension of the president’s tenure beyond this period.
- Forged Documents Claim: Dr. Ramadoss alleges that “unauthorized and forged documents” were submitted to the Election Commission. These documents reportedly claimed that a general body meeting was held in August 2023 to extend Anbumani’s tenure until 2026. The founder denies such a meeting ever took place.
Why This Matters for the 2026 Elections
The ‘Mango’ symbol is the core identity of the PMK, a party with a strong voter base in northern Tamil Nadu. With the Assembly elections approaching in 2026, control over the official symbol is crucial.
If the court freezes the symbol or delays the decision, it could hurt the party’s campaign. The confusion over leadership—whether the father or the son is in charge—could also affect voter confidence and alliance talks with major coalitions.
What Happens Next?
The case has been listed for a hearing before the First Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan.
The court will examine the validity of the documents submitted to the ECI and determine who currently holds the legal authority to represent the party. The Election Commission’s response will also be a key factor in the final verdict.
Meanwhile: Madras High Court Embraces AI Technology
In a separate but historic development, the Madras High Court has become a trendsetter in legal technology. For the first time, the court has permitted the use of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to assist in court proceedings.
- The Tool: The court is testing an AI system called “Superlaw Courts” to analyze massive amounts of case records.
- The Purpose: The AI will not decide the case. Instead, it will help judges and lawyers organize documents, search for specific details, and summarize long records instantly.
- The Impact: This move is expected to speed up hearings, especially in complex cases with thousands of pages of evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the founder of PMK?
Dr. S. Ramadoss is the founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a political party in Tamil Nadu.
2. Why has Ramadoss filed a case against his son?
He claims that his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, is illegally holding the post of party president after his term expired in 2025. He also wants the Election Commission to send official communications to him, not his son.
3. What is the election symbol of PMK?
The official election symbol of the PMK is the ‘Mango’.
4. Can the Madras High Court decide who gets the symbol?
The High Court can direct the Election Commission to verify the documents and leadership claims. However, the final decision on symbol allotment usually rests with the Election Commission based on the court’s guidance.
5. Is the Madras High Court using AI for judgments?
No, the AI tool is only being used to organize files and summarize records to save time. The final legal judgment is still made entirely by the human judges.