In what would become a big political elevation in Tamil Nadu, PMK's youth wing secretary Anbumani Ramadoss is all set to become the party's next president, replacing the incumbent GK Mani. The development has turned heads and it has come at a high time when the party has been assaying to strengthen its base across the state. 

Anbumani would be elevated to prepare the party for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the 2026 assembly elections. According to reports, PMK has called for a special general body meeting on May 28 in Chennai and during the event, the party will officially announce Anbumani as the next president, while his father Dr Ramadoss would remain as the party's supreme leader. 

Speaking to a news agency, PMK's spokesperson Balu said, "All I can say is that it is a special general body meeting." It has been reported that GK Mani, who has been holding the post of party's president for the past 25 years would hand over the title to Anbumani. In return, GK Mani will be awarded a key post at the party. A senior party functionary said, "The announcement would be moved as a special resolution in the general body meeting."  

Anbumani's elevation has been discussed at the party for the past several months. However, the party's founder Ramadoss was hesitant to give his nod to replace GK Mani, who was one of the former's trusted associates in the party. As Mani is also enjoying a good relationship with senior party leaders and with the leaders of various parties, his is the role of leading the party in seat sharing and alliance talks, which has made Ramadoss reluctant to keep Mani outside the leadership unit. 

It has also been reported that Anbumani too was not keen on a transformation in the party. However, he had later felt that he could transform the party with fresh energy after he takes up the role. After seeing Anbumani's tours and meetings with the party cadres, Ramadoss had agreed to elevate his son as the PMK's President. On the other hand, Ramadoss has also decided to create a new post for GK Mani. 

It must be noted that PMK has organized a grand felicitation on May 24 in Chennai for GK Mani for completing 25 years as the party's president. In an official statement to the party cadres, Ramadoss has complimented GK Mani for his party's work during tough and bad times. Ramadoss had recalled that he had proposed the name of GK Mani in 1998 for the president's spot and since then the latter has been elected for the post twelve times.