‘Panruti’ Ramachandran launches new party, MGR ADMK

Former Tamil Nadu Minister ‘Panruti’ S. Ramachandran, on Thursday (February 19, 2026), announced the formation of a party – MGR Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MGR ADMK). 

The party would hold a conference in Kancheepuram on February 23 to mark its inauguration, according to Mr. Ramachandran, who served as Minister in the DMK and AIADMK governments headed by M. Karunanidhi and M.G. Ramachandran during the 1970s and 1980s.

The former Minister, who was till recently with the camp led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, told reporters that his party would strive for the creation of a society, wherein equal opportunities should be ensured for all. “Politics of identity must be replaced by politics of ideology,” he observed, unveiling the party flag having the colours of black, white and red.

Not to face polls

Though his party would not participate in elections, its members would be free to join hands with likeminded parties at the time of polls and they could contest as independents.

To a query which parties were in contention for the Assembly poll, Mr. Ramachandran replied that the contest would be between the DMK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

He refuted a suggestion that his decision was made under the pressure of the TVK’s leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, who was expelled from the AIADMK in October last.

Who is ‘Panruti’ Ramachandran?

88-year-old Ramachandran, who initially worked as an engineer in the now-abolished Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) for eight years, entered the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on the DMK ticket in 1967 from Panruti constituency. He was elected from the constituency six times – twice (1967 and 1971) on the DMK ticket; thrice (1977, 1980 and 1984) as a nominee of the AIADMK and once (1991) as a candidate of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). He was a Minister for 15 years – 1971-1976 in the DMK government headed by M. Karunanidhi and 1977-1987 in the AIADMK government headed by M.G. Ramachandran. In these years, he held the portfolios of Transport, Local Administration, Electricity and Food.

After heading the People’s Liberal Party between 1996 and 2005, Mr. Ramachandran joined the DMDK in September 2005 as chairman of the presidium. In 2011, he was elected from Alandur. Between May 2011 and December 2013, he was the Deputy Leader of Opposition. After quitting the DMDK, he returned to the AIADMK and contested unsuccessfully from Alandur during the 2016 Assembly election.