Forum of professionals to support Anbumani

Chennai: Inspired by Narendra Modi’s style of campaigning, a group of professionals from various walks of life has come together to launch a forum called “Professionals 4 Anbumani” to campaign in favour of PMK’s chief ministerial candidate.

Members of the forum claimed that they were not members of PMK but they are supporting Dr Anbumani because of his credentials and his proven administrative skills.

“Based on our assessment involving age, qualification, outlook and focus areas, past accomplishments and plans for the future, we decided to extend our support for Dr Anbumani as CM candidate,” said S. Subramaniam, a chartered accountant and   convenor of PFA.

He said that PFA is forum comprising well-meaning citizens intent on seeing governance occupy pride of place in the state politics. “In Tamil Nadu politics, emotional issues including Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil Nadu fishermen and Mullaiperiyar issues are given priority over the issues of governance. From my interaction with Dr Anbumani, I find him have clarity of thought and speech,” he said. He added that forum would campaign making full use of social media and also engage in road shows across the state to seek support of educated youths for Anbumani.

When asked why are they supporting Dr Anbumani facing a CBI case over renewal of recognition for medical college, Mr Subramaniam said that no charge of him receiving any monetary benefit. “Renewal was given based on supreme court direction,” he said. When asked whether they are comfortable with PMK whose leaders carried out an anti dalit campaign in the state, he said that both Ramadoss and Anbumani has clarified that PMK was not a casteist party.

“We were casteist. Yes it was started as an empowering organisation of Vanniyars. Fountainhead of the party is Vanniyar Sangam. They have gotten over it,” he said, adding that none of the founding members of PFA is vanniyars.