Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) ‘president’ Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) announced the expulsion of Salem West MLA R. Arul from the primary membership of the party. Mr. Arul is a loyalist of PMK founder S. Ramadoss.

In a press release, Dr. Anbumani accused Mr. Arul of acting in a manner that went against the party’s disciplinary rules and bringing disrepute to the party by making statements to the media.

“The party’s disciplinary committee had urged him to apologise for his comments within 24 hours. Since he has not apologised, he has been removed from the primary membership of the party by invoking rule no. 30 of the party’s bylaws,” Dr. Anbumani said.

Recently, Mr. Arul said in an interview with The Hindu that his loyalty lies primarily with Dr. Ramadoss, and that Dr. Anbumani is his only leader after him.

In a recent press conference, Mr. Arul urged Dr. Anbumani to reach out to his father and party founder and sort out his differences with him.

Mr. Arul’s expulsion is a significant development, as he is one of the party’s well-known leaders in Salem. The district is considered a stronghold of the PMK.