Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), translating to Dravidian Progressive Federation, is an Indian political party based in Tamil Nadu. It also holds a significant position in the union territory of Puducherry, where it is the main opposition party.

The DMK is one of Tamil Nadu’s two major political parties, alongside its rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Since the 2021 Tamil Nadu state election, the DMK has been in power. Founded on September 17, 1949, by C. N. Annadurai (Anna) as a split from the Dravidar Kazhagam led by E. V. Ramasami (Periyar), the DMK was initially led by Annadurai as general secretary until his death on February 4, 1969. Annadurai also served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1967 to 1969. Under his leadership, the DMK became the first party, apart from the Indian National Congress, to secure a clear majority in a state election in India.

M. Karunanidhi (Kalaignar) succeeded Annadurai as party president in 1969, leading until his death on August 7, 2018. Karunanidhi served as Chief Minister for five non-consecutive terms, two of which ended due to dismissals by the Union government. After his passing, his son M. K. Stalin took over as the party president.

Following the 2019 Indian general election, the DMK became the third-largest party in the Lok Sabha. The party currently holds 125 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance commands a total of 159 out of 234 seats.

Elections:

Lok Sabha Elections:

Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly:

In Tamil Nadu’s Legislative Assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has demonstrated significant fluctuations in its political influence over the decades. In 1962, under C. N. Annadurai, the DMK won 50 out of 205 seats, marking a notable increase from previous elections but remained in opposition. The party’s fortunes soared in 1967 when it captured 137 out of 234 seats, solidifying its role as the ruling government. This success continued into 1971 with a further increase to 184 seats, under the leadership of M. Karunanidhi. However, the 1977 election saw a dramatic decline, with the DMK securing only 48 seats, relegating it to opposition status. The party’s influence waned in the 1980s, but it rebounded in 1989, gaining 150 seats and returning to government. A series of setbacks followed, with significant losses in 1991 and 2001, leading to periods of diminished influence. The 1996 election marked a resurgence with 173 seats and a majority government. Despite subsequent declines, including a minority government status in 2006 and losses in 2011, the DMK experienced a resurgence in 2021 under M. K. Stalin, winning 133 seats and regaining control of the state government. This history reflects the DMK’s resilience and adaptability in Tamil Nadu’s evolving political landscape.

Pondicherry Legislative Assembly:

In Puducherry’s Legislative Assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has shown varied electoral results over the years. In 1974, under M. Karunanidhi, the DMK won 2 out of 30 seats, marking a modest increase but remaining in opposition. The party gained momentum in 1980, securing 14 seats and forming the government. However, its fortunes fluctuated in the following years, with a drop to 5 seats in 1985, and then a rebound to 9 seats in 1990, once again leading the government. Despite setbacks in 1991 and a steady performance in the early 2000s, including 7 seats in 2006, the DMK faced losses in 2011 and 2016, with reduced representation and opposition status. A notable resurgence occurred in 2021 under M. K. Stalin, where the party increased its seats to 6 and garnered 18.51% of the vote, although it remained in opposition. This pattern reflects the DMK’s shifting influence and its ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Puducherry.

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly:

In the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has faced challenges in establishing a strong foothold. In the 1972 elections, the DMK, led by M. Karunanidhi, contested 3 seats but failed to win any, receiving only 0.26% of the vote. The party’s performance remained stagnant in the 1978 elections, where it contested 2 seats and again won none, with a slight decrease in vote share to 0.03%. The limited success in Andhra Pradesh highlights the DMK’s struggles to make significant electoral gains outside of its stronghold in Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly:

In the 1978 Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by M. Karunanidhi, contested 3 seats but failed to secure any, receiving only 0.13% of the vote. This result, with a total of 16,437 popular votes, reflected the party’s limited impact in Karnataka, maintaining a steady but low vote share and ultimately resulting in a loss. This outcome underscores the DMK’s challenges in making significant electoral inroads outside its stronghold in Tamil Nadu.

Kerala Legislative Assembly:

In the 1970 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by M. Karunanidhi, contested 1 seat but did not win any. The party received only 0.02% of the vote, with a total of 1,682 popular votes. This result highlighted the DMK’s limited influence in Kerala, maintaining a steady yet minimal presence and ultimately resulting in a loss. The outcome underscores the party’s difficulties in extending its political reach beyond its base in Tamil Nadu.

Origins and Foundation

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has its origins in the South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party), founded in 1916 by Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar and others in Madras. The Justice Party aimed to address social inequalities and gained power in the Madras Presidency’s first general elections in 1920. This party was a response to the caste-based discrimination and overrepresentation of Brahmins in government roles, marking the beginning of the Dravidian movement.

Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, a prominent reformist, joined the Indian National Congress in 1919 to oppose its Brahmin leadership. After leading the Self-Respect Movement in 1926 and resigning from Congress, Periyar joined the Justice Party in 1935. Following the Justice Party’s defeat in the 1937 elections, which saw the Indian National Congress rise to power, Periyar’s protests against Hindi imposition led to further tensions.

In August 1944, Periyar established the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) from the Justice Party and the Self-Respect Movement. The DK, which sought an independent Dravidian nation, used a black flag with a red circle to symbolize the upliftment of Dravidians from their degraded status.

In 1949, a faction led by C. N. Annadurai split from the DK to form the DMK after disagreements with Periyar over electoral participation. The DMK became a significant force in Indian politics, representing lower-caste interests and contributing to a more inclusive and pluralistic democracy in Tamil Nadu.

C. N. Annadurai Era (1949–1969)

Under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) embarked on its journey in electoral politics with mixed results. In the 1957 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the DMK secured 15 seats, but several key figures, including Annadurai and V. R. Nedunchezhiyan, faced defeat. The party’s performance improved in the 1962 elections, where it won 50 seats and established itself as the main opposition. Annadurai’s leadership was pivotal in shaping the party’s political strategy and expanding its influence during this formative period.

Anti-Hindi Imposition Agitations

After its split from the Dravidar Kazhagam in 1949, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) inherited its predecessor’s opposition to Hindi imposition. C. N. Annadurai, who had been involved in anti-Hindi protests during the late 1930s and 1940s, continued this stance as DMK founder.

In July 1953, the DMK spearheaded a protest against the Union government’s proposal to rename Kallakudi to Dalmiapuram, alleging that the name change, honoring Ramkrishna Dalmia, represented Northern exploitation of South India. During a protest, DMK members, including M. Karunanidhi (future Chief Minister), removed Hindi signs from Dalmiapuram railway station, resulting in a clash with police that led to fatalities and arrests.

Throughout the 1950s, the DMK’s anti-Hindi stance was coupled with its demand for Dravida Nadu, reflecting a more radical position compared to the Dravidar Kazhagam. On January 28, 1956, Annadurai, along with Periyar and Rajaji, supported a resolution favoring English as the official language. The DMK also held an anti-Hindi conference on September 21, 1957, marking October 13 as “Anti-Hindi Day.”

Further protests were held, including an open-air conference in Kodambakkam, Madras, on July 31, 1960. Although the DMK abandoned its secessionist demand following the Sino-Indian War and the 16th Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1963, its opposition to Hindi remained resolute. Annadurai famously critiqued the argument for Hindi’s official status by comparing it to choosing a national bird based solely on numerical superiority, humorously suggesting that if this principle were applied, the common crow would be chosen over the peacock.

Formation of State Government

In 1967, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) achieved a significant milestone by coming to power in the Madras State, marking 18 years since its formation and 10 years since its first electoral foray. This victory initiated the Dravidian era in the region, which later became Tamil Nadu. The 1967 elections were pivotal as the Indian National Congress lost control of nine states, but only in Madras did a single non-Congress party, the DMK, secure a majority.

The 1967 electoral success was also notable for its strategic alliance among non-Congress parties to prevent fragmentation of the Opposition vote. Rajagopalachari, a former senior Congress leader who had founded the right-wing Swatantra Party, played a crucial role in orchestrating this electoral fusion to unite opposition forces against the Congress. At the time, the DMK’s cabinet was recognized as the youngest in the country, reflecting a new era of political leadership.

M. Karunanidhi Era (1969–2018)

In 1969, C. N. Annadurai‘s sudden death led to M. Karunanidhi being elected as the new leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), defeating rival V. R. Nedunchezhiyan. Karunanidhi led the party until his death in 2018.

During the 1970s, a significant political conflict arose between Karunanidhi and M. G. Ramachandran (M.G.R.), a popular actor and DMK treasurer. M.G.R.’s call for a boycott of the party’s General Council and subsequent accusations of corruption led to his suspension and the formation of a new party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

In 1976, Indira Gandhi dismissed Karunanidhi’s government amid allegations of secessionist activities and corruption. The Sarkaria Commission later indicted the DMK for corruption in the Veeranam drainage project. Although the interim report of the Justice Jain Commission linked Karunanidhi to the LTTE in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, the final report did not confirm these allegations.

Karunanidhi’s family members were prominent in politics, with his nephew Murasoli Maran serving as a Union Minister and his son M. K. Stalin becoming a significant party figure. His daughter Kanimozhi and nephew’s son Dayanidhi Maran also held influential positions. Karunanidhi faced criticism for alleged nepotism and failing to act against family members involved in controversial matters, such as Kalanithi Maran’s Sun TV Network and Azhagiri’s extraconstitutional authority.

Key Points under Karunanidhi:

• 1977: The DMK lost the Assembly elections to M.G.R.’s AIADMK and remained out of power until 1989.
• 1989: After M.G.R.’s death and the split in AIADMK, the DMK returned to power with Karunanidhi as Chief Minister.
• 1991: Amidst the backdrop of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and DMK’s pro-Tamil stance, the party failed to secure parliamentary seats.
• 1996: DMK returned to power on corruption charges against J. Jayalalithaa and an alliance with the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC).
• 2001: AIADMK regained power due to a strong alliance and anti-DMK sentiment.
• 2004: The DMK, in alliance with Congress and other parties, won all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, gaining significant influence in the central government.
• 2006: The DMK, with Congress support, formed a minority government in Tamil Nadu, with Karunanidhi serving as Chief Minister for the fifth time.
• 2009: The DMK-Congress alliance succeeded in the general elections.
• 2011: The DMK’s performance declined amid allegations of corruption, winning only 23 seats.
• 2014: The DMK did not win any seats in the general elections but was the second-highest vote-getter.
• 2016: The DMK won 89 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, marking the highest number for an opposition party in the state’s history.

M. K. Stalin Era (2018–Present)

Following the death of M. Karunanidhi on August 7, 2018, his son M. K. Stalin assumed leadership of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Stalin, who had been serving as the party’s working president since January 2017 due to his father’s declining health and had been designated as the heir apparent, became the party’s second president since its inception.

In early 2020, Stalin enhanced the DMK’s strategic approach by appointing Prashant Kishor as a party strategist for the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. On March 25, 2018, Stalin unveiled five key slogans at a statewide conference in Erode to guide the party’s agenda, emphasizing Tamil pride, vigilance, combating extremism, and fostering prosperity in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin led the DMK in forming the Secular Progressive Alliance for the 2019 general elections. Under this alliance, the DMK secured 39 out of 40 parliamentary seats in Tamil Nadu and 12 out of 21 in the state assembly, achieving a 52% vote share. The alliance also won the 2019 local body elections in Tamil Nadu.

In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance achieved a decisive victory, securing 159 out of 234 seats with 46% of the vote share.