States » SouthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 4:45PM


Speculation mounts over possible PMK-TVK alliance with a Cabinet berth, Sowmya terms it as rumour

Chennai, Sep 30 (UNI) Speculations are gaining traction in Tamil Nadu political firmament over the possibility of the Vanniyar-OBC dominated PMK joining the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led alliance after the October 6 Assembly bypolls and was likely to be given a berth in the Vijay Cabinet for its Legislature Party Leader Sowmya Anbumani.
However, Ms.Sowmya, who is the wife of PMK President and Rajya Sabha MP Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss, talking to reporters dismissed
it as 'rumours' and appealed to the people not to believe in it. "It's all rumours...may be media creation", she said, seeking to downplay it and not attaching much importance.
The reports assumed more significance in the context of the PMK deciding not to support any party in the bypolls to Madurantakam and Dharapuram seats despite being an ally of the AIADMK, which is heading the NDA that also comprised BJP, AMMK and other minor outfits.
Announcing the decision recently PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss said the PMK would not contest maintain a neutral position in
the bypolls, despite AIADMK fielding its candidates in the two seats, considered as its strongholds, and taking into account that the
PMK has a considerable Vanniyar vote base in Madurantakam, coming under the Northern districts.
Against this backdrop, speculation was rife that the PMK could extend support to the TVK government and subsequently become part
of its alliance. There have also been reports that Sowmya Anbumani, the PMK MLA from Dharmapuri and the party's floor leader, could be inducted into the TVK Cabinet after the bypolls. PMK has four Legislators in the House after contesting 18 seats.
Sowmya's portrayal of people's problems in the Assembly and her speeches, which had never seen an interventions have also attracted attention and won laurels from the Speaker and even from the Opposition bench. She has backed some measures of the TVK government while raising issues on prohibition, women's safety and the Cauvery dispute.
The possibility of a PMK-TVK understanding has been discussed in political circles for several weeks after the PMK stayed away from the bypolls campaign. However, there has been no official announcement from either the PMK or TVK confirming an alliance or Cabinet arrangement.
In this scenario and at a time when the electioneering for the bypolls has reached a crescendo, this has become the talking point as it came at a crucial time for the TVK government, which is facing the first electoral test in its four-month tenure and the bypolls, which was witnessing a five-cornered contest, seen as a referendum on his government's performance.
However, Ms Sowmya sought to put at rest the speculations saying them as mere rumours.
Drafting PMK into the alliance would be tough call for the TVK as it has the key dalit-outfit VCK, which has two MLAs, with one of them being accommodated in the Council of Ministers. Both the VCK and PMK are ideologically opposed to each other. And the stand adopted by the VCK in the run up to the April 23 Assembly elections that it would walk out of the DMK-led multi-party front if PMK was drafted into the alliance, too could not be dismissed lightly.
Despite this, if the TVK, which has converted the alliance into a Front with Congress, IUML, VCK (having Cabinet presence) and MDMK as partners, is still keen in having PMK in its fold and accommodate it in the Cabinet, many imponderables lie ahead and the crucial issue of convincing VCK would be an herculean task and a lot of soul searching has to be made.
UNI GV 1635
Tags: #Speculation mounts over possible PMK-TVK alliance with a Cabinet berth# Sowmya terms it as rumour
More News

T'gana: Congress MP Vamsi Krishna seeks transparency in CEC appointment, stronger voter safeguards

02 Oct 2026 | 9:33 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 2 (UNI) Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna today called for greater transparency in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and stronger safeguards for voters' rights, stressing the need to protect democracy and constitutional values.

see more..

Congress leaders in Kerala split over UDF row as Adoor Prakash stands firm

02 Oct 2026 | 8:56 PM

Congress leaders in Kerala split over UDF row as Adoor Prakash stands firm
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2 (UNI) Differences within the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) widened on Friday as UDF convenor Adoor Prakash stood firm on his criticism of the functioning of the ruling front, while Mahila Congress state president and MP Jebi Mather backed his concerns and senior Congress leader Rajmohan Unnithan criticised him for taking the issue to the media.

see more..

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations launch state-wide cleanliness drive in Andhra Pradesh

02 Oct 2026 | 8:55 PM

Vijayawada, Oct 2 (UNI) Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday launched a state-wide cleanliness drive on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti as part of the nationwide “Swachhta Se Divyata Tak” initiative, aimed at promoting cleanliness, selfless service and spiritual transformation.

see more..

Tirupati: Appalayagunta temple receives Swachha Andhra Award-2026

02 Oct 2026 | 8:38 PM

Tirupati, Oct 2 (UNI) The Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Appalayagunta, managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), has received the Swachha Andhra Award-2026 from the Andhra Pradesh government in recognition of its cleanliness and sanitation management.

see more..

Telangana Governor appreciates young doctors for academic excellence

02 Oct 2026 | 8:12 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 2 (UNI) Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Friday felicitated two young doctors for their academic excellence and dedicated service to humanity on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

see more..