PMK eyes cabinet role in Vijay's government while weighing BJP ties

The Pattali Makkal Katchi is negotiating a place in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam cabinet, yet it must first resolve its relationship with the BJP before any posts are sealed. ## Negotiations Talks are being carried out mainly by PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss and Vijay’s political adviser John Arockiasamy, according to senior insiders. The discussion has moved beyond a simple outreach and now includes how the party could sit inside the ruling team. ## Cabinet Proposal One idea on the table is to give the PMK two ministries: one for Sowmiya Anbumani, the party’s floor leader in the assembly and wife of Anbumani Ramadoss, and another for MLA A Ganesh Kumar. Sowmiya recently won the Dharmapuri constituency with 93,713 votes, beating the TVK candidate by 20,896 votes, giving her a personal mandate. ## Election Context In the 2026 state election the PMK contested as part of the AIADMK‑BJP alliance and was assigned 18 seats. It stayed neutral in the October 6 by‑elections for Madurantakam and Dharapuram, a move that could have helped AIADMK in Madurantakam where Vanniyar voters matter. TVK secured 108 of 234 seats last time, falling ten short of a majority and relying on smaller allies; recent AIADMK resignations have triggered the by‑polls that could shift the balance. ## Context The Vanniyar community forms the core of PMK’s support, while the VCK represents Dalit interests; bringing both together has historically been uneasy, making the PMK’s potential entry a delicate balancing act for Vijay’s coalition.