For over a decade, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) was a regular factor in all equations for power at the Centre. That was till Saturday morning. Having won from all the six seats it contested last time, there was a natural hype regarding the party’s chances this time, when it contested in seven seats as part of the opposition alliance. But in all the seats, the party was trounced by the ruling alliance candidates, refusing the party and its leader S Ramadoss another chance under the limelight.

There were theories floated about the positives it brings to any alliance it is part of, and the negatives facing its political rivals. In fact, party leader and former Union minister Anbumani Ramadoss had claimed recently that potential allies were eager to garner PMK’s support due to its impressive track record.

This time, though, the game was more keenly contested, as a section of DMK leaders were particular about defeating the PMK nominees, as the two parties shared one of the most acrimonious relations that can be between partners. In the battle for Vanniyar votes, one of the numerically strong communities on which PMK draws its strength, the DMK took on its former rivals directly in five constituencies.

While DMK chief M Karunanidhi was not averse to accommodating PMK back in the alliance, a group of influential second rung leaders did not support the idea. From former Union ministers R Velu and A K Moorthy to Ramadoss’s right hand man ‘Kaduvetty’ J Guru, the party had fielded seemingly strong candidates against the DMK. Guru’s candidature was especially noticed, as it was his arrest under the NSA for making intimidating speeches against Karunanidhi and A Raja that made the party breakaway from the DMK-led coalition in the state. At Puducherry and Chidambaram, the party had fielded sitting members M Ramadass and Ponnusamy.

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