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'''Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam''' is a state political party in the [[India]]n states of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dmk.in/tamil/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-09-12 |archive-date=2017-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910061242/http://dmk.in/tamil/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is a Dravidian party founded by [[C.N.Annadurai]] in 1949 as a break away faction from the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (known as Justice Party until 1944) headed by [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]]. Since 1969, DMK has been headed by [[Karunanidhi]], who has served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu several times. DMK holds the distinction of being the first party other than the [Indian National Congress] to win state-level elections with a clear majority on its own in any state in India. Present Executive Leader of DMK Party is [[M. K. Stalin|M.K.Stalin]].
{{Short description|Political party in India}}
{{Distinguish|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox Indian Political Party
| name              =  Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
| native_name        = <!-- No native name as per [[WP:NOINDICSCRIPTS]] -->
| colorcode          = {{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
| logo              = Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam logo.png
| abbreviation      = DMK
| president          = [[M. K. Stalin ]]<br /> {{small|([[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|CM of Tamil Nadu]])}}  
| ppchairman        = [[T. R. Baalu]]  
| general_secretary  = [[Durai Murugan]]
| secretary          =
| loksabha_leader    = [[T. R. Baalu]]
| rajyasabha_leader  = [[Tiruchi Siva]]
| founder            = [[C. N. Annadurai]]<br />{{small|(Former [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|CM of Tamil Nadu]])}}
| foundation        = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|p=y|1949|09|17}}
| loksabha_seats    = {{Composition bar|24|543|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| rajyasabha_seats  = {{Composition bar|10|245|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| state_seats        = {{hidden
|Indian states
|headerstyle=background:#ccccff
|style=text-align:center;
|
{{Composition bar|125|234|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
([[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]])
{{Composition bar|6|33|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
}} <small>([[Puducherry Legislative Assembly]])</small>
}}
| no_states          = {{Composition bar|1|31|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| colours            = {{coloursample|Black}} [[Black]]<br />{{coloursample|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}} [[Red]]
| membership        = 
| eci                = [[List of political parties in India#State Party|State Party]]<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/ElecSym19012013_eng.pdf|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=9 May 2013|location=India|year=2013}}</ref>
| alliance          = {{hidden
|Alliances
|headerstyle=background:#eeeeee
|style=text-align:left;
|
1) '''DMK Alliance''' : (1957–1967) (1967–1971), (1971–1980), (1982–1984), (1996–1999) ([[Democratic Progressive Alliance|DPA]]) : (2006–2009) & (2014–2016) ([[Secular Progressive Alliance|SPA]]) : (2021–Present)<br>'''Central Party Alliance'''<br>2) '''[[Indian National Congress|Congress Party Alliance]]''' : (1971–1976 Central Alliance) & (1980–1982) ([[United Progressive Alliance (India)|UPA]]) : (2004–2013) & (2016–Continue Alliance)<br>3) '''[[Janata Party|Janata Party Alliance]]''' : (1977–1980 Central Alliance) & (1984–1988)<br>4) '''[[Janata Dal|Janata Dal Alliance]]'''<br>[[National Front (India)|NF]] : (1988–1996)<br>[[United Front (India)|UF]] : (1996–1998 Central Alliance)<br>5) '''[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]''' - ([[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]]) : (1999–2004)}}
| ideology          = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
|[[Social democracy]]<ref name="dmk1"/>
|[[Dravidian parties|Dravidianism]]<ref name="Palani"/>
|[[Social justice]]<ref name="dmk1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/m-karunanidhi-from-health-care-to-community-living-his-schemes-were-aimed-at-social-equality/article24548812.ece|title=M. Karunanidhi: From health care to community living, his schemes were aimed at social equality|last=Kannan|first=Ramya|date=8 August 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=10 August 2019|issn=0971-751X}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/karunanidhi-the-social-reformer-who-changed-the-landcape-of-tamil-nadu-politics-1837827.html|title=Social Equality was Karunanidhi's Focus During Five Terms as Tamil Nadu CM|website=News18|date=11 March 2019|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref>}}
| position          = [[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.in/political-parties-in-india/dravida-munnetra-kazhagam.html|title = Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) – Party History, Symbol, Founders, Election Results and News}}</ref>
| predecessor        = * [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] (1917–1944)<br>
* [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (1944–1949)
| split              = [[Dravidar Kazhagam]]
| publication        = ''[[Dinakaran]]'' {{small|(Daily journal)}} <br /> ''[[Murasoli (India)|Murasoli]]'' {{small|(Daily journal)}} <br />''The Rising Sun'' {{small|(Weekly journal)}} <br/>''[[Kalaignar TV]]'' {{small|(TV channel)}}
| labour            = [[Labour Progressive Federation]] (LPF)
| youth              = DMK Ilaignar Ani
| students          = DMK Manavar Ani
| women              = DMK Magalir Ani
| headquarters      = Anna Arivalayam,<br />367 & 369, [[Anna Salai]], [[Teynampet]],&nbsp;[[Chennai]]&nbsp;-&nbsp;600018, [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| website            = [http://www.dmk.in/ www.dmk.in]
| symbol            = [[File:Indian_Election_Symbol_Rising_Sun.png|120px|Rising Sun]]
| flag              = Flag DMK.svg
}}
{{Dravidian politics-col}}
The '''Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam''' ({{Translation|Dravidian Progressive Federation}}, '''DMK''') is a [[social-democratic]] and [[Dravidian parties|Dravidianist]] political party in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]] and the union territory of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/topic/dmk|title=Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)|work=Business Standard India|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref>It is the 3rd largest political party in [[Lok Sabha]] after [[BJP]] and [[Indian National Congress|INC]].It is also one of the two main political parties in Tamil Nadu, along with the rival [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]. Since the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2021 state election]], it has been the ruling party of Tamil Nadu.
 
The DMK was founded in 1949 by [[C. N. Annadurai]] as a breakaway faction from the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (also known as [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] until 1944), which was headed by [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/september-which-split-dravidians-periyar-weds-maniyammai-dmk-born-49850|title=September which split Dravidians, Periyar weds Maniyammai|website=thenewsminute.com|date=14 September 2016|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/periyar-and-anna-conflict-over-electoral-politics-88609|title=Periyar and Anna conflict over electoral politics|website=newsminute.com|date=19 September 2018|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/karunanidhi-administrator-par-excellence-61343|title=Karunanidhi: Administrator par excellence|website=downtoearth.org.in|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> It was headed by Annadurai (as the Secretary-General) from 1949 until his death on 3 February 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/on-this-day/3-february-1969-c.-n.-annadurai-chief-minister-of-tamil-nadu-died|title=3 February 1969: C. N. Annadurai, chief minister of Tamil Nadu, died|website=mapsofindia.com|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> He also served as the [[chief minister of Tamil Nadu]] from 1967 to 1969. Under Annadurai, in 1967, DMK became the first party, other than the [[Indian National Congress]], to win the state-level elections with a clear majority on its own in any state in India. [[M. Karunanidhi]] followed Annadurai as the second president of the party from 1969 until his death on 7 August 2018.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/m-karunanidhi-former-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-passes-away/article24624474.ece|title=M Karunanidhi passes away|website=@businessline|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> He also served as the Chief Minister for five non-consecutive terms, in two of which he was dismissed by the central government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/m-karunanidhi-the-five-term-chief-minister/article24548707.ece/photo/1/|title=In pictures: M. Karunanidhi, the five-term Chief Minister|date=7 August 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=10 August 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After Karunanidhi's death, his son and former deputy, [[M. K. Stalin]], succeeded his as party president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/64bKrVFUe0Xoz5qSVbq1tO/Karunanidhi-appoints-Stalin-as-Tamil-Nadu-deputy-CM.html|title=Karunanidhi appoints Stalin as Tamil Nadu deputy CM|last=PTI|date=29 May 2009|website=Mint|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref>
 
At the federal level, the DMK is part of the [[United Progressive Alliance]] and is the third-largest party in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Charismatic leaders missing, major TN parties rely on election strategists|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tamil-nadu/charismatic-leaders-missing-major-tn-parties-rely-on-election-strategists/story-e5iYPyuYw7QzCNL5tnjRKJ.html|date=2019-09-08|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> It currently holds 125 seats in the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]], and the DMK-led [[Secular Progressive Alliance]] holds 159.
 
== History ==
 
=== Origins and foundation ===
The DMK traces its roots to the South Indian Liberal Federation ([[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]]) founded by Dr [[C. Natesa Mudaliar]] in 1916, in the presence of [[P. Thyagaraya Chetty]], Dr [[P.T. Rajan]], Dr [[T. M. Nair]], Dr [[Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar]] and a ''few others in [[Victoria Public Hall]] [[Madras Presidency]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/100-years-justice-party-movement-which-defined-tamil-nadu-politics-53163|title = 100 years of Justice Party, a movement which defined Tamil Nadu politics|date = 20 November 2016}}</ref> The Justice Party, whose objectives included social equality and justice, came to power in the first general elections to the [[Madras Presidency]] in 1920.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Radhan
| first = O.P.
| title = Encyclopaedia of Political Parties
| publisher = Anmol Publications
| year = 2002
| isbn = 978-81-7488-865-5
| pages = 187
| chapter = A Time-Bound Plan for Muslim India
}}</ref> Communal division between [[Brahmin]]s and non-Brahmin upper castes began in the presidency during the late-19th and early-20th century, mainly due to [[Caste in India|caste]] prejudices and disproportionate Brahminical representation in government jobs. The Justice Party's foundation marked the culmination of several efforts to establish an organization to represent the non-Brahmin upper castes in Madras and is seen as the start of the [[Dravidian Movement]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Joshua Fishman|author2=Ofelia Garcia|title=Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity:The Success-Failure Continuum in Language and Ethnic Identity Efforts (Volume 2): The Success-Failure Continuum in Language and Ethnic Identity Efforts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OBoSDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA230|access-date=7 July 2016|year=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press, USA|isbn=978-0-19-539245-6|pages=230–}} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/910239471]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/904492385]] cite No. 1 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/tamil-nadu-politics-history-dravidian-movement-brahmins-lower-caste-casteism-madras-presidency-4388452/ | title=A century of reform The Dravidian movement has left its progressive imprint on Tamil Nadu| work=Manuraj Shunmugasundaram | date=22 November 2016 | access-date=8 August 2018}} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/910239471]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/904492385]] cite No. 2 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-inner-grammar-of-dissent-lives/298224 | title=The Inner Grammar Of Dissent Lives | work=K.S. Chalam | publisher=Outlook India | date=12 December 2016 | access-date=8 August 2018}} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/910239471]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/904492385]] cite No. 3 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>''
 
''[[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]], a popular Tamil reformist leader of the time, had joined [[Indian National Congress]] in 1919, to oppose what he considered the [[Brahmin]]ic leadership of the party.<ref name="Gail_Omvedt_Dalit_visions">{{cite book
| last = Omvedt
| first = Gail
| author-link = Gail Omvedt
| title = Dalit Visions: The Anti-caste Movement and the Construction on an Indian Identity
| publisher = Orient Longman
| year = 2006
| isbn = 978-81-250-2895-6
| pages = 54–55
}}</ref> Periyar's participation at the [[Vaikom Satyagraha]] led him to start the [[Self-Respect Movement]] in 1926 which was rationalistic and "anti-Brahministic".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=2138&id=2714&sectionid=30&Itemid=1|title=Ethnic balance|magazine=India Today|date=20 December 2007|access-date=24 May 2009}}</ref> He quit Congress and in 1935 he joined the Justice Party.''
 
''In the 1937 elections, the Justice Party lost and the [[Indian National Congress]] under [[C. Rajagopalachari]] (Rajaji) came to power in Madras Presidency. Rajaji's introduction of [[Hindi]] as a compulsory subject in schools led to the [[anti-Hindi agitations]], led by Periyar and his associates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/the-justice-party-torchbearer-of-reform/article7892747.ece|title=Torch-bearer of reform|last=Veeramani|first=K.|date=19 November 2015|work=The Hindu|access-date=10 August 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>''
 
''In August 1944, Periyar created the '[[Dravidar Kazhagam]]' out of the Justice Party and the Self-Respect Movement at the Salem Provincial Conference.<ref>{{cite book| last = Dirks| first = Nicholas B.| author-link = Nicholas Dirks| title = Castes of Mind: Colonialism and the Making of Modern India| publisher = Princeton University Press| year = 2001| isbn = 978-0-691-08895-2| pages = 263
}}</ref> The DK, conceived as a movement and not a political party, insisted on an independent nation for Dravidians called [[Dravida Nadu]] consisting of areas that were covered under the Madras Presidency.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Castes of Mind: Colonialism and the Making of Modern India |author=Dirks, Nicholas B. |year= 2001 |publisher=Princeton University Press |pages =263 |isbn=0691088950 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lekITKy2rd4C&q=Castes+of+Mind++By+Nicholas+B.+Dirks}}</ref>''
 
''The party at its inception retained the flag of the South Indian Liberal Federation, which had a picture of a traditional type of [[Beam balance|balance]] signifying the idea of [[Social equality|equality]].<ref>Saraswathi, S. (2004) ''Towards Self-Respect''. Institute of South Indian Studies, pp. 93 & 94 {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/910239471]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/905473880]] cite No. 1 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> Its central theme was to remove the degraded status imposed on [[Dravidian people|Dravidians]]. To communicate this, the party adopted a black flag with a red circle inside it, with the black signifying their degradation and the red denoting the intention of the movement to uplift [[Dravidians]].<ref>Saraswathi, S., ''Towards Self-Respect'', p. 94. {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/910239471]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/905473880]] cite No. 2 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>''
 
''Over the years, many disagreements arose between Periyar and his followers. In 1949, several of his followers led by [[C. N. Annadurai]] decided to split from Dravidar Kazhagam, after an aged Periyar married a young woman [[Maniammai]] and appointed her to act as his successor to lead the party, superseding senior party leaders. Until then, [[E. V. K. Sampath]], the nephew of Periyar, was considered his political heir.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sify.com/news/politics/fullstory.php?id=13493522 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208131610/http://sify.com/news/politics/fullstory.php?id=13493522 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2005 |title=Priest-less weddings in TN VIP families|work= Sify News|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ram|first=N.|year=1977|editor-last=Barnett|editor-first=Marguerite Ross|title=Pre-History and History of the DMK|journal=Social Scientist|volume=6|issue=5|pages=59–91|doi=10.2307/3520089|issn=0970-0293|jstor=3520089}}</ref>''
 
''The Dravidian philosophy culminated both politically and socially with DMK at the helm of administration. It was the first-ever [[Subaltern (postcolonialism)|subaltern]] movement in the history of sub-continent politics to have political representation from former lower-castes, and it was a marked move from generations of civic administrators from the upper-caste citizenry. This had a deep societal impact which resulted in increased political participation, which aided the representation of the emergent strata, enriched civic life, and subsequently strengthened the pluralist democracy.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Subramanian|first=Narendra|date=2002-11-01|title=Identity Politics and Social Pluralism: Political Sociology and Political Change in Tamil Nadu|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249027491|journal=Commonwealth & Comparative Politics - COMMONW COMP POLIT|volume=40|issue=3|pages=125–139|doi=10.1080/713999599|s2cid=153856033}}</ref>''
 
===C. N. Annadurai era (17 September 1949 – 3 February 1969)===
[[File:CN_Annadurai_1970_stamp_of_India.jpg|thumb|right|C. N. Annadurai, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
The DMK's first foray into electoral politics, in the [[1957 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1957 legislative assembly elections]], was mixed. While it won 15 seats, many prominent leaders such as Annadurai and [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]] were defeated. It fared somewhat better in [[1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1962]], winning 50 seats and becoming the main opposition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1962/StatRep_Madras_1962.pdf |title=1962 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India |access-date= 19 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127201143/https://eci.gov.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1962/StatRep_Madras_1962.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref>
 
==== Anti-Hindi Imposition agitations ====
{{See also|Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu}}
 
The DMK, which split from the Dravidar Kazhagam in 1949, inherited the anti-Hindi Imposition policies of its parent organization. Founder C.N. Annadurai had earlier participated in the anti-Hindi imposition agitations during 1938–40 and throughout the 1940s.
 
In July 1953, the DMK launched an [[Kallakudi demonstration|agitation]] against the Union government's proposed name-change of [[Kallakudi]] to Dalmiapuram. They claimed that the town's propsoed new name (after [[Ramkrishna Dalmia]]) symbolized the exploitation of South India by the North.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mills|first1=James H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hIUBioZHHQC&pg=PT151|title=Confronting the body: the politics of physicality in colonial and post-colonial India|last2=Sen|first2=Satadru|publisher=Anthem Press|year=2004|isbn=978-1-84331-033-4|page=151}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 54 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sangam.org/2009/09/Anna_Centennial_3.php?print=true|title=Anna in the dock (1953)|author=Sachi Sri Kantha|date=16 September 2009|work=Anna's Birth Centennial Anthology Part 3|publisher=Sangam.org|access-date=24 November 2009}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 55 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> On 15 July, [[M. Karunanidhi]] (later Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) and other DMK members removed the Hindi name from Dalmiapuram railway station's name board and protested on the tracks. In the altercation with the police that followed the protests, two DMK members lost their lives, and several others, including Karunanidhi and [[Kannadasan]], were arrested.<ref>{{Harvnb|Ramaswamy|1997|p=108|loc=ch. 5.29 (The Warrior Devotee)}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 56 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
 
The DMK continued its anti-Hindi Imposition policies throughout the 1950s, along with the secessionist demand for [[Dravida Nadu]], in which it was originally more radical than the Dravida Kazhagam.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Jaffrelot | first = Christophe | title = India's silent revolution: the rise of the low castes in North Indian politics | publisher = C. Hurst & Co. | year = 2003 | isbn = 1-85065-398-4
| page = 244}}</ref> On 28 January 1956, Annadurai, along with Periyar and Rajaji, signed a resolution passed by the Academy of Tamil Culture endorsing the continuation of English as the official language.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AGcOAQAAIAAJ|title=Modern India rejects Hindi|publisher=Association for the Advancement of the National Languages of India|year=1958|page=29}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 57 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Copley|first=Antony R. H.|url=https://archive.org/details/politicalcareero0000copl|url-access=registration|title=The political career of C. Rajagopalachari, 1937–1954: a moralist in politics|publisher=Macmillan|year=1978|page=[https://archive.org/details/politicalcareero0000copl/page/311 311]}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 58 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> On 21 September 1957, the DMK convened an anti-Hindi Conference to protest against the imposition of Hindi. It observed 13 October 1957 as "anti-Hindi Day".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/a-script-which-karuna-would-never-imagined-in-tn/61923/on|title=A script which Karuna would never imagined in TN|date=16 May 2009|work=[[Business Standard]]|publisher=Business Standard Ltd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201202600/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/a-script-which-karuna-would-never-imagined-in-tn/61923/on|archive-date=1 December 2009|access-date=24 November 2009|last1=India|first1=Press Trust of}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 59 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Swaminathan|first=S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-uYmpYmXuMC|title=Karunanidhi: man of destiny|publisher=Affiliated East-West Press|year=1974|page=8}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 60 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
 
On 31 July 1960, another open air anti-Hindi conference was held in [[Kodambakkam]], Madras.<ref>{{cite book|last=Venu|first=E.Es.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=83xIAAAAMAAJ|title=Why South opposes Hindi|publisher=Justice Publications|year=1979|page=76}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 61 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> In November 1963, DMK dropped its secessionist demand in the wake of the [[Sino-Indian War]] and the passage of the anti-secessionist 16th Amendment to the [[Indian Constitution]]. However, the anti-Hindi stance remained and hardened with the passage of Official Languages Act of 1963.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rajagopalan|first=Swarna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q7Yz5aGeoTsC|title=State and nation in south Asia|publisher=Lynne Rienner Publishers|year=2001|isbn=978-1-55587-967-9|pages=153–156}} {{verify source|date=August 2019|reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/897738684]] cite No. 62 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> The DMK's view on Hindi's eligibility for official language status were reflected in Annadurai's response to the "numerical superiority of Hindi" argument: "If we had to accept the principle of numerical superiority while selecting our national bird, the choice would have fallen not on the peacock but on the common crow."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Venkatachalapathy|first=A. R.|date=|title=Tongue tied|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20071231-tongue-tied-734837-2007-12-20|access-date=|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
 
==== Formation of State Government ====
In 1967, DMK came to power in the [[Madras province]] 18 years after its formation and 10 years after it had first entered electoral politics. This began the Dravidian era in the Madras province, which later became [[Tamil Nadu]]. In 1967, the Congress lost nine states to opposition parties, but it was only in Madras that a single non-Congress Party (namely, the DMK) won a majority.<ref>{{cite book | last = Chakrabarty | first = Bidyut | title = Indian Politics and Society Since Independence | publisher = Routledge | year = 2008 | pages = 110–111 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QzQHZ178C24C | isbn = 978-0-415-40868-4 }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 33 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> The [[1967 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|electoral victory of 1967]] is also reputed to be an [[electoral fusion]] among the non-[[Indian National Congress|Congress]] parties to avoid a split in the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|Opposition]] votes. [[Rajaji|Rajagopalachari]], a former senior leader of the Congress Party, had by then left the Congress and launched the right-wing [[Swatantra Party]]. He played a vital role in bringing about the electoral fusion amongst the opposition parties to align against the Congress.<ref>{{cite news | last = Viswanathan | first = S | title = Dravidian power | work = Frontline | date = 10–23 April 2004 | url = http://www.frontline.in/fl2108/stories/20040423007701500.htm | access-date = 19 February 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080303061014/http://www.frontline.in/fl2108/stories/20040423007701500.htm | archive-date = 3 March 2008 }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 34 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> At that time, his cabinet was the youngest in the country.<ref>{{cite news | last = Venkatachalapathy | first = AR | title = C.N. Annadurai – Politician, 1909–1969 | date = 10 April 2008 | url = http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&issueid=48&task=view&id=6878&acc=high | access-date = 20 December 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090112030229/http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&issueid=48&task=view&id=6878&acc=high | archive-date = 12 January 2009 }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 35 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
 
==== Other achievements ====
Annadurai legalised [[self-respect marriages]] for the first time the country. Such marriages did not involve priests presiding over the ceremonies, and thus a [[Brahmin]] was not needed to carry out the wedding.<ref>{{cite news | last = Venkatesh | first = MR | title = Solidarity show at wedding – ADMK's brickbats on cauvery mixes with Pranab's bonhomie | publisher = The Telegraph, Calcutta | date = 7 June 2004 | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040607/asp/nation/story_3340313.asp | access-date = 20 December 2008 | location = Calcutta, India | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090816173201/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040607/asp/nation/story_3340313.asp | archive-date = 16 August 2009 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 36 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> Self-respect marriages were a brainchild of Periyar, who regarded the then conventional marriages as mere financial arrangements which often led to great debt through [[dowry]]. Self-respect marriages, according to him, encouraged inter-caste marriages and caused [[arranged marriages]] to be replaced by love marriages.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Hodges | first = Sara | title = Revolutionary family life and the Self Respect movement in Tamil south India | journal = Contributions to Indian Sociology | volume = 39 | issue = 2 | pages = 251–277 | year = 2005 | doi = 10.1177/006996670503900203 | s2cid = 144419547 | df = dmy-all }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 37 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
 
Annadurai was also the first to promise to subsidize the price of rice in order to campaign for his election. He promised one rupee a measure of rice, which he initially implemented once in government, but had to withdraw later. Subsidising rice costs are still used as an [[election promise]] in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite news | title = Rice promises stir Tamil Nadu | work = Rediff.com | date = 19 April 2006 | url = http://in.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/19ptn.htm | access-date = 20 December 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170313/http://in.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/19ptn.htm | archive-date = 7 September 2008 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 38 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
 
It was Annadurai's government that renamed [[Madras State]] to [[Tamil Nadu]], its present day name. The name change itself was first presented in the upper house ([[Rajya Sabha]]) of the [[Parliament of India]] by [[Bhupesh Gupta]], a communist MP from [[West Bengal]], but was then defeated.<ref>{{cite book | last = Rajagopalan | first = Swarna | title = State and Nation in South Asia | publisher = Lynne Rienner Publishers | year = 2001 | pages = 152–154 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=q7Yz5aGeoTsC | isbn = 978-1-55587-967-9 }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 13 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> With Annadurai as chief minister, the state assembly succeeded in passing the bill renaming the state. Another major achievement of Annadurai's government was to introduce a ''two language policy''{{which|date=August 2019}} over the then popular [[three language formula]]. The three language formula, which was implemented in the neighbouring states of [[Karnataka]], Andhra Pradesh and [[Kerala]], entitled students to study three languages: the regional language, [[English language|English]] and [[Hindi]].<ref>{{cite journal | last = Hardgrave | first = Robert | title = The Riots in Tamilnad: Problems and Prospects of India's Language Crisis | journal = Asian Survey | volume = 5 | issue = 8 | pages = 399–407 | year = 1965 | doi = 10.1525/as.1965.5.8.01p0095g | df = dmy-all }} {{verify source |date=August 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/901408232]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/900528858]] cite No. 22 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
 
=== Karunanidhi's leadership (1969–2018) ===
In 1969, Annadurai unexpectedly died. M. Karunanidhi was elected as his successor, defeating rival candidate [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]. Karunanidhi would continue to head the DMK until his own death in 2018.<ref name=":0" />
 
==== 1972 split ====
In the 1970s, [[M. G. Ramachandran]] (M.G.R.), a popular actor and the party treasurer, resulting in a political feud between M.G.R. and the party president Karunanidhi. In 1972, M.G.R. called for a boycott of the party's General Council. The crisis led to a call for a corruption probe by M.G.R. where he was a treasurer, and he was eventually suspended from the General Council by the high power committee of DMK. He then created the new party named [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK).<ref name="Hardgrave">{{cite book|first=Robert j|last=Hardgrave Jr.|year=1973|title= Politics and the Film in Tamilnadu: The Stars and the DMK |series=Asian Survey|publisher= University of California Press}}</ref>
 
==== Elections under Karunanidhi's presidency ====
* In 1977, DMK lost the Assembly elections to MGR's AIADMK, and stayed out of power in the state till 1989.<ref name="Murali82">[[#Murali|Murali 1994]], p. 82</ref> After MGR's death in December 1987, AIADMK split into two factions between [[V. N. Janaki|Janaki]] (MGR's wife) and [[Jayalalithaa]]. DMK returned to power in the 1989 State assembly elections and 3rd time Chife Minister Tamil Nadu Karunanidhi took over as chief minister in January 1989.
* The 1991 election was held with the backdrop of DMK government having dissolved within 2 years of formation due to pressure from ex-Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]] leading an alliance with [[Samajwadi Janata Party]]. In the same year Rajiv was killed by a [[Suicide Bomber|suicide bomber]] during the election campaign, and due to DMK's pro-Tamil stance and the dismissal of the state government mid-campaign by Rajiv, attitudes were against DMK and instead in favor of the AIADMK–Congress alliance, causing the DMK to be deprived of any seats in the Parliament.
* In the 1996 state elections, DMK came to power on strength of corruption charges against [[J.Jayalalithaa]] and the alliance with [[Tamil Maanila Congress]] (TMC), headed by [[G.K. Moopanar]].
*However, in 2001, the AIADMK, on strength of a strong alliance and the incumbency factor against DMK, came back to power in the state assembly elections.
* In the 2004 parliamentary elections, DMK formed an alliance with Congress, the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK) and the [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK) and swept a grand victory. The alliance won all 40 seats including [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. This enabled DMK to hold 7 ministerial posts in the central government and gave influential power to DMK.
* Two years later in 2006, the same alliance won in the state assembly elections and the DMK, for the first time, formed a minority government in the state with help from Congress. [[M Karunanidhi]] became the Chief Minister of the state for the fifth time. The DMK-Congress alliance was also successful in the 2009 parliamentary elections.
* In the [[2011 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly election result|2011 Assembly elections]], held in the wake of the [[2G case]] and allegations of nepotism, the DMK won only 23 seats, 127 seats less than earlier.
* In the 2014 [[Lok Sabha]] election DMK failed to win any seats; however, by vote percentage, it was second only to AIADMK.
* The 2016 state assembly elections gave DMK 89 MLAs. This was the most number for an opposition party in the history of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.
 
=== M. K. Stalin’s leadership  (2018–present) ===
[[M. Karunanidhi|Karunanidhi]] died on 7 August 2018, leaving the party in the hands of his son, [[M. K. Stalin]]. Stalin had been appointed as the working president in January 2017 when his father's health started declining, and had previously been named heir apparent by his father. Stalin thus became the second DMK president since the party's inception.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/mk-stalin-takes-charge-of-dmk-after-51-years-of-joining-politics-fighting-a-dynastic-battle-the-65-year-old-has-learnt-it-hard-way-5059921.html|title=MK Stalin takes charge of DMK after 51 years in politics: Fighting a dynastic battle, the 65-year-old learnt it the hard way|website=Firstpost|date=28 August 2018|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> On 3 February 2020, M. K. Stalin announced that [[Prashant Kishor]] was signed up as a party strategist for the upcoming [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=DMK teams up with Prashant Kishor's I-PAC for 2021 Tamil Nadu polls |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dmk-teams-up-with-prashant-kishor-s-i-pac-for-2021-tami-nadu-polls-1642677-2020-02-03 |access-date=7 February 2020 |work=India Today |date=3 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref>[[File:The Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration , Government of Tamil Nadu Shri.M.K.Stalin called on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on July 04, 2007 (1).jpg|alt=|thumb|201x201px|M.K. Stalin calls on the Prime Minister, Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]] in New Delhi on 4 July 2007.]]
 
On 25 March 2018, the DMK held a statewide conference in [[Erode]] and [[M. K. Stalin]] released five slogans at the conference. They were:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/state-news/mk-stalin-addressed-the-followers-in-erode-dmk-meet/articleshow/63454760.cms|title=ஐம்பெரும் முழக்கங்கள்: ஈரோடு மண்டல மாநாட்டில் ஸ்டாலின் உரை|date=25 March 2018|website=Samayam Tamil|language=ta|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://minnambalam.com/k/2018/03/26/31|title=ஸ்டாலின் முன்வைத்த ஐம்பெரும் முழக்கங்கள்!|website=மின்னம்பலம்|language=ta|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/mk-stalin-releases-5-slogans-dmk-315312.html|title=மதவெறியை மாய்ப்போம்- அதிகார குவியலை அடித்து நொறுக்குவோம்: திமுகவின் 5 முழக்கங்களை அறிவித்த ஸ்டாலின்|last=Priya|first=Lakshmi|date=25 March 2018|website=oneindia.com|language=ta|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref>
 
# Let's keep an eye on the Kalaignar's command
# Let us grow and admire Tamil
# Let's crush the power pile
# Let us protect the humanity from extremism
# Let us grow a prosperous Tamil Nadu
M.K. Stalin formed the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu under the [[United Progressive Alliance]] in the centre and led the alliance in the [[2019 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|2019 general election]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/secular-progressive-alliance-will-romp-home-in-lok-sabha-polls-119033100605_1.html|title=Secular Progressive Alliance will romp home in Lok Sabha polls|agency=Press Trust of India|date=31 March 2019|work=Business Standard India|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/dmk-led-front-in-tn-christened-secular-progressive-alliance-119031500955_1.html|title=DMK-led front in TN christened "Secular Progressive Alliance"|agency=Press Trust of India|date=15 March 2019|work=Business Standard India|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> M.K. Stalin and his alliance in Tamil Nadu won 39 out of 40 seats in the parliament and 12 out of 21 in the Assembly with a 52% vote share.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/stalin-wins-big-but-gains-little/articleshow/69472678.cms|title=M K Stalin wins big but gains little in Tamil Nadu {{!}} Chennai News|last1=24 May|first1=D. Govardan {{!}} TNN {{!}}|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=29 December 2019|last3=Ist|first3=6:31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-results-2019-mk-stalin-on-dmk-victory-in-tamil-nadu-amazed-north-united-south-astounded-ind-2046617|title="Amazed North, United South, Astounded India": MK Stalin On DMK Poll Wins|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The DMK-led alliance won the [[2019 Tamil Nadu local elections|2019 Tamil Nadu local body elections]] under the Secular Progressive alliance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/dmk-alliance-wins-tamil-nadu-rural-local-body-polls/articleshow/73086250.cms|title=DMK alliance wins Tamil Nadu rural local body polls {{!}} Chennai News|last1=3 Jan|first1=IANS {{!}} Updated|last2=2020|website=The Times of India|access-date=24 March 2020|last3=Ist|first3=19:08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tamil-nadu-local-body-poll-results-dmk-wins-243-district-panchayat-wards-aiadmk-214-counting-underway-1633997-2020-01-04|title=Tamil Nadu local body poll results: DMK wins 243 district panchayat wards, AIADMK 214; counting underway|last1=ChennaiJanuary 4|first1=Akshaya Nath|last2=January 4|first2=2020UPDATED|website=India Today|access-date=24 March 2020|last3=Ist|first3=2020 20:17}}</ref>
 
The DMK-led [[Secular Progressive Alliance]] won the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]]. The alliance won 159 seats out of 234 seats with 46% vote share.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}
 
==Party ideology==
=== Dravidian nationalism ===
The [[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu|Anti-Hindi Imposition agitations]] of 1965 forced the [[Government of India|central government]] to abandon its efforts to use [[Hindi]] as the only official language of the country. However, Hindi usage has continued as Indian government employees are asked to write as much as 65% of the letters and memoranda in Hindi.<ref name="Palani">{{cite book|title=Polyethnicity in India and Canada: Possibilities for Exploration|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BdxwA3xDtSEC&pg=PA21|pages=21–22|last=Palanithurai|first=Ganapathy |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|year=1997|isbn=9788175330399}}</ref>
 
=== State autonomy ===
After [[The Emergency (India)|The Emergency]] invoked by Indira Gandhi, more state powers like education and medical care were moved from state control to national control. At the state conference in [[Tiruchirappalli|Trichy]] after the death of C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi announced the adoption of the "state autonomy" principle to advocate for state self-governance. In April 1974, the DMK government brought in a resolution in the House urging the centre to accept the Rajamannar Committee recommendations on state autonomy and amend the Constitution of India to pave the way for a truly federal system.<ref name="Palani" />
 
=== Social justice ===
The DMK reconstituted the disabled persons welfare board to Differently Abled Persons Departments and the changed official terms for transgender individuals to more respectful terms like Thirunangai and Thirunambi.<ref name="Nadika">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/self-respect-weddings-transgender-rights-karunanidhi-leader-minorities-86159|title=Self-respect weddings to transgender rights: Karunanidhi, a leader of minorities|last=N|first=Nadika|website=newsminute.com|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
 
== Party symbol ==
The party's election symbol is the "sun rising from between two mountains", with a black and red flag often pictured. The symbol was inspired by the leader and scriptwriter M. Karunanidhi's 1950s play ''Udaya Suryan'', and is intended to signify the "rising" spirit of the Dravidian people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/story-udaya-suriyan-how-rising-sun-became-symbol-dmk-43247|title=The story of Udaya Suriyan: How the rising sun became the symbol of DMK|date=14 May 2016}}</ref>
 
In the 1957 poll, the DMK was not recognized by the Election Commission. The party was grouped as independents and was not united by its rising sun symbol and was forced to contest under the rooster symbol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/story-udaya-suriyan-how-rising-sun-became-symbol-dmk-43247|title=The story of Udaya Suriyan: How the rising sun became the symbol of DMK|last=Isaac|first=Anna|date=n.d.|website=thenewsminute.com|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
 
==Election history==
=== Parliament General elections in Tamil Nadu ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Year
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"|Party leader
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Seats won
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Change in seats
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Percentage of votes
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Popular vote
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"|Outcome
|-
| [[1957 Indian general election|1957]]
|rowspan=3|[[C. N. Annadurai]]
|{{Composition bar|8|41|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 9
| –
| –
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1962 Indian general election|1962]]
|{{Composition bar|7|41|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| 18.64%
| 2,315,610
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1967 Indian general election|1967]]
|{{Composition bar|25|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 18
| 51.79%
| 7,996,264
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1971 Indian general election|1971]]
|rowspan=12|[[M. Karunanidhi]]
|{{Composition bar|23|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| 55.61%
| 8,869,095
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1977 Indian general election|1977]]
|{{Composition bar|1|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 22
| 37.84%
| 6,758,517
| {{no2|Opposition/Central Government Alliance Support}}
|-
| [[1980 Indian general election|1980]]
|{{Composition bar|16|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 15
| 55.89%
| 10,290,515
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1984 Indian general election|1984]]
|{{Composition bar|2|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 14
| 37.04%
| 8,006,513
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1989 Indian general election|1989]]
|{{Composition bar|0|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| 33.78%
| 8,918,905
| {{no2|Lost/Central Government Alliance Support}}
|-
| [[1991 Indian general election|1991]]
|{{Composition bar|0|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{steady}}
| 27.64%
| 6,823,581
| {{no2|Lost}}
|-
| [[1996 Indian general election|1996]]
|{{Composition bar|17|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 17
| 54.96%
| 14,940,474
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1998 Indian general election|1998]]
|{{Composition bar|6|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 11
| 42.72%
| 10,937,809
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1999 Indian general election|1999]]
|{{Composition bar|12|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 6
| 46.41%
| 12,638,602
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
|{{Composition bar|16|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 4
| 57.40%
| 16,483,390
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2009 Indian general election|2009]]
|{{Composition bar|18|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 2
| 42.54%
| 12,929,043
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
|{{Composition bar|0|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 18
| 26.8%
| 10,243,767
| {{no2|Lost}}
|-
| [[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
|[[M. K. Stalin]]
|{{Composition bar|24|39|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 24
| 52%
|14,363,332
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|}
 
=== Tamil Nadu Assembly election ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Year
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"|Party leader
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Seats won
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Change in seats
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Percentage of votes
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"| Popular vote
!Style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white"|Outcome
|-
| [[1957 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1957]]
|rowspan=3|[[C. N. Annadurai]]
|{{Composition bar|15|205|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 15
| –
| –
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1962]]
|{{Composition bar|50|205|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 37
| 27.10%
| 3,435,633
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1967]]
|{{Composition bar|137|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 87
| 40.69%
| 6,230,556
| {{yes2|government}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971]]
|rowspan=11|[[M. Karunanidhi]]
|{{Composition bar|184|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 47
| 48.58%
| 7,654,935
| {{yes2|government}}
|-
| [[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977]]
|{{Composition bar|48|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 136
| 24.89%
| 4,258,771
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]]
|{{Composition bar|37|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 11
| 22.1%
| 4,164,389
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]]
|{{Composition bar|24|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 13
| 29.3%
| 6,362,770
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1989]]
|{{Composition bar|150|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 116
| 37.89%
| 9,135,220
| {{yes2|government}}
|-
| [[1991 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1991]]
|{{Composition bar|2|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 148
| 22.5%
| 5,535,668
| {{partial|others}}
|-
| [[1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1996]]
|{{Composition bar|173|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 171
| 53.77%
| 14,600,748
| {{yes2|government}}
|-
| [[2001 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2001]]
|{{Composition bar|31|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 142
| 30.90%
| 8,669,864
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2006]]
|{{Composition bar|96|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 65
| 26.50%
| 8,728,716
| {{yes2|government}}
|-
| [[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2011]]
|{{Composition bar|23|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 73
| 22.40%
| 8,249,991
| {{partial|others}}
|-
| [[2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2016]]
|{{Composition bar|89|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 66
| 31.39%
| 13,670,511
| {{no2|opposition}}
|-
| [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2021]]
|[[M. K. Stalin]]
|{{Composition bar|133|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
|{{increase}} 44
|37.7%
|1,74,30,179
|{{yes2|government}}
|}
 
=== Puducherry ===
{| class="wikitable sortable
|-
! Year || Election || Votes polled || Seats won
|-
| 1974 || 3rd Assembly || 47,823 || 2
|-
| 1977 || 4th Assembly || 30,441 || 3
|-
| 1980 || 5th Assembly || 68,030 || 14
|-
| 1985 || 6th Assembly || 87,754 || 5
|-
| 1990 || 7th Assembly || 101,127 || 9
|-
| 1991 || 8th Assembly || 96,607 || 4
|-
| 1996 || 9th Assembly || 105,392 || 7
|-
| 2001 || 10th Assembly || 83,679 || 7
|-
| 2006 || 11th Assembly || || 7
|-
| 2011 || 12th Assembly || || 3
|-
| 2016 || 13th Assembly || || 2
|-
| 2021 || 14th Assembly || 154,858<ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Commission of India|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/Result2021/partywiseresult-U07.htm?st=U07|access-date=2021-05-02|website=results.eci.gov.in}}</ref>|| 6<ref>{{Cite web|title=Puducherry Election Results 2021: Check Full List of Winners|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/puducherry-election-results-2021-check-full-list-of-winners-2426742|access-date=2021-05-02|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
|-
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable
|-
! Year || Election || Votes polled || Seats won
|- bgcolor="lightsteelblue"
| 1984 || 8th Lok Sabha || 97,672 || 0
|- bgcolor="lightsteelblue"
| 1989 || 9th Lok Sabha || 157,250 || 0
|- bgcolor="lightsteelblue"
| 1991 || 10th Lok Sabha || 140,313 || 0
|- bgcolor="lightsteelblue"
| 1996 || 11th Lok Sabha || 183,702 || 0
|- bgcolor="lightsteelblue"
| 1998 || 12th Lok Sabha || 168,122 || 1
|}
 
== List of presidents ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!S.No
!Portrait
!Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
!Tenure
!Duration
|-
|1.|| [[File:M._Karunanidhi_.jpg|75px]] || [[M. Karunanidhi]]<br><small>(03/06/1924–07/08/2018)</small> || 27 July 1969 – 7 August 2018 || {{age in years and days|1969|7|27|2018|8|7}}
|-
|2. ||
[[File:Hon_CM_Photo.jpg|75px]]
||[[M. K. Stalin]]<br><small>(01/03/1953)</small> || 28 August 2018 – ''Incumbent'' || {{age in years and days|2018|8|28}};
|}
 
== List of general secretaries ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!S.No
!Portrait
!Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
!Tenure
!Duration
|-
|1.|| [[File:CN_Annadurai_1970_stamp_of_India.jpg|75px]]
|[[C. N. Annadurai]]<br /><small>(1909–1969)</small>
|17 September 1949 – 3 February 1969
|{{age in years and days|1949|9|17|1969|2|3}}
|-
|2.
|[[File:V.R. Nedunchezhiyan.jpg|75px]]
|[[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]<br /><small>(1920–2000)</small>
|4 February 1969 – 16 May 1977
|{{age in years and days|1969|2|4|1977|5|16}}
|-
|3.||
[[File: Anbazhagan2006.jpg|75px]]
|[[K. Anbazhagan]]<br /><small>(1922–2020 )</small>
|17 May 1977 – 7 March 2020
|{{age in years and days|1977|5|17|2020|3|7}}
|-
|4.
|
|[[Durai Murugan]]<br /><small>(1938–)</small>
|9 September 2020 – ''Incumbent''
|{{age in years and days|2020|9|9|}}
|}
 
== List of chief ministers ==
 
=== Madras State ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!S.No
!Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
!Tenure
!Days
|-
|1 || [[C. N. Annadurai]]<br />{{small|(1909–1969)}} || 6 March 1967 – 13 January 1969 || 680 days (2–Year's)
|}
 
=== Tamil Nadu ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!S.No
!Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
!Tenure
!Days
|-
|1 || [[C. N. Annadurai]]<br>{{small|(1909–1969)}}
|14 January 1969 – 3 February 1969 || 20 days (in total 700)
|-
|2 || [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]] (acting chief minister)<br>{{small|(1920–2000)}}
|(4 February 1969 – 9 February 1969) || 5 days
|-
|3 || [[M. Karunanidhi]]<br>{{small|(1924–2018)}} || '''1.''' (10 February 1969 – 4 January 1971)<br>'''2.''' (15 March 1971 – 31 January 1976)<br>'''3.''' (27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991)<br>'''4.''' (13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001)<br>'''5.''' (13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011) || 6863 days (19–Year's)
|-
|4 || [[M. K. Stalin]]<br>{{small|(1953–)}} || 7 May 2021– ''[[Incumbent]]'' || (2021–Present)
|}
 
=== Puducherry ===
{|class="sortable wikitable"
|-
!S.No
!style="text-align:center;"|Name
! style="text-align:center;" |Tenure
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|1
|[[M. O. H. Farook]]<br />{{small|(1937–2012)}}
|(17 March 1969 – 3 January 1974)
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|2
|[[M. D. R. Ramachandran]]
|(16 January 1980 – 24 June 1983)<br />(8 March 1990 – 3 March 1991)
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|3
|[[R. V. Janakiraman]]<br />{{small|(1941–2019)}}
|(26 May 1996 – 21 March 2000)
|}
 
== Current office bearers and prominent members ==
{|class="sortable wikitable"
|-
!style="text-align:center;"|Member
! style="text-align:center;" |Position in government
! style="text-align:center;" |Party position
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[M. K. Stalin]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=49|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223120738/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=49|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-23|title=M. K. Stalin profile|work=assembly.tn.gov}}</ref>
|Chief Minister of [[Tamil Nadu]], Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA from kolathur
|President
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[Duraimurugan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=78|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222093834/http://assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=78|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-22|title=Profile of Durai Murugan|work=assembly.tn.gov}}</ref>
|Minister for Water Resources, MLA from [[Katpadi (state assembly constituency)|Katpadi]]
 
|General Secretary and <br/>Leader of House Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[T. R. Baalu]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=26|title=T. R. Balu|work=Government of India}}</ref>
|Member of parliament (Lok Sabha) and Former Union Minister for ship and roadways
|Treasurer and<br />Party Lok Sabha Leader
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[K. N. Nehru]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=214|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425145856/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=214|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-04-25|work=assembly.tn.gov|title=Profile of K. N. Nehru}}</ref>
|Minister for Municipal Administration, MLA from [[Tiruchirappalli West (state assembly constituency)|Tiruchirappalli West]]
|Principal Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[R. S. Bharathi]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/member_site/Main.aspx|title=R. S. Bharathi profile|work=Rajya Sabha}}</ref>
|Member of parliament (Rajya Sabha), Former Chairman of Alandur Municipality
|Organization Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[I. Periyasamy]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=196|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221114246/http://assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=196|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-21|title=I. Periyasamy profile|work=assembly.tn.gov}}</ref>
|Minister for Co-operation, MLA from [[Athoor (state assembly constituency)|Aathoor]]
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4147&lastls=14|title=Subbulakshmi profile|work=Lok Sabha}}</ref>
|Former Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[P. Selvarasu|Anthiyur P. Selvaraj]]
|Member of parliament, Former State Minister for Handloom
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[K. Ponmudy]]
|Minister for Higher Education, MLA from [[Tirukkoyilur (state assembly constituency)|Tirukkovilur]]
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[A. Raja]]
|Member of parliament (Lok Sabha) and Former Union Minister
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[T. K. S. Elangovan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4533|title=TKS Elangovan profile|work=Government of India}}</ref>
|Member of parliament (Rajya Sabha)
|Official Spokesperson
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi]]
|
* [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] from [[Thoothukkudi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Thoothukkudi]]
* Former [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| Women's wing Secretary and
Party Lok Sabha Deputy Leader
|-
|[[Palanivel Thiagarajan|Palanivel Thiyagarajan]]
|Minister for Finance and Human Resource Management, MLA from [[Madurai Central (state assembly constituency)|Madurai Central]]
|IT wing Seceratary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
|[[Udhayanidhi Stalin]]
|Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni]]
| Youth wing Secretary
|- style="text-align:left; background:#fff;"
| |[[Karthikeya Sivasenapathy]]
|
| Environment wing Secretary
|-
|[[T. R. B. Rajaa]]
|Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Mannargudi (state assembly constituency)|Mannargudi]]
|NRI Wing Secretary
|}
 
== List of union ministers ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!S.No
!Name<br />{{small|(birth–death)}}
!Portfolio
!Tenure
!Prime Minister
|-
|1.
|[[T. G. Venkatraman]]<br /><small>(1931– 2013)</small>
|[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Minister of Road Transport and Highways]]
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
|1 June 1996 – 19 March 1998
14 November 1997 10 December 1997
|[[H. D. Deve Gowda]]
[[I. K. Gujral]]
|-
|2.
|[[Murasoli Maran]]<br /><small>(1934–2003)</small>
|[[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Commerce and Industry]]
[[Ministry of Urban Development (India)|Minister of Urban Development]]
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
|13 October 1999 – 9 November 2002
6 December 1989 10 November 1989
1 June 1996 – 19 March 1998
|[[H. D. Dewe Gowda]]
[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
[[V. P. Singh]]
|-
|3.
|[[T. R. Baalu]]
<br /><small>(1941–)</small>
|[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Minister of Road Transport and Highways]]
[[Ministry of Shipping (India)|Ministry of Shipping]]
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Non-Conventional Energy Sources]]
[[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|Minister of State (Independent Charge) of New and Renewable Energy]]
|22 May 2004 – 22 May 2009
13 October 1999 21 December 2003
10 January 1998– 18 March 1998
1996–1998
|[[Manmohan Singh]]
[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
[[H.D. Deve Gowda]]
[[I.K. Gujral]]
|-
|4.
|[[A. Raja]]<br /><small>(1963–)</small>
|[[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)|Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare]] [[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Minister of State for Rural Development]]
|16 May 2007 – 14 November 2010
23 May 2004 – 17 May 2007
30 September 2002 – 21 May 2004
13 October 1996 – 29 September 2000
|[[H. D. Deve Gowda]]
[[I. K. Gujral]]
[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
[[Manmohan Singh]]
|-
|5.
|[[Dayanidhi Maran]]<br /><small>(1966–)</small>
|[[Ministry of Textiles|Minister of Textiles]]
[[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
|28 May 2009 – 12 July 2011
22 May 2004 – 16 May 2007
|rowspan="8"|[[Manmohan Singh]]
|-
|6.
|[[S.S. Palanimanickam]]<br /><small>(1950–)</small>
|Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
|2004–2013
|-
|7.
|[[S. Regupathy]]<br /><small>(1950–)</small>
|Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment and Forests
|2004–2013
|-
|8.
|[[K. Venkatapathy]]<br /><small>(1946–)</small>
|Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice
|2004–2013
|-
|9.
|[[Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan]]<br /><small>(1947–)</small>
|Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
|2004–2013
|-
|10.
|[[V. Radhika Selvi]]<br /><small>(1976–)</small>
|Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs
|2004–2013
|-
|11.
|[[M. K. Alagiri]]<br /><small>(1951–)</small>
|[[Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (India)|Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers]]
|13 June 2009 – 20 March 2013
|-
|12.
|[[Napoleon (actor)|D. Nepoleon]]<br /><small>(1963–)</small>
|[[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment]]
|28 May 2009 – 20 March 2013
|-
|13.
|[[M. Kannappan]]
|[[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|Minister of State (Independent Charge) of New and Renewable Energy]]
|13 October 1999 – 30 December 2003
|[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
|}
 
== Splits and offshoots ==
There are two major parties that have been formed as a result of splits from the DMK, such as
* [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) was founded on 17 October 1972 by [[M. G. Ramachandran]].
* [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK) was founded on 6 May 1994 by [[Vaiko]].
 
== Media ==
The DMK party runs two newspapers, one in English and one in Tamil, namely ''The Rising Sun'' (weekly journal) and ''[[Murasoli (India)|Murasoli]]'' (daily), respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmk.in/|title=DMK homepage|access-date=11 November 2013|publisher=Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}</ref>
 
Kalaignar TV is a channel started on 15 September 2007 and managed by [[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi]] and Dayalu Ammal, the daughter and wife of Karunanidhi. The sister channels of Kalaignar TV are Isaiaruvi (music channel), Seithigal (news channel), Sirippoli (comedy channel), Kalaignar Asia, and Chithiram (Tamil cartoon channel).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kalaignartv.co.in/|title=Kalaignar Channel|publisher=Kalaignar Channel|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>
 
== Controversies ==
Indira Gandhi dismissed the Karunanidhi government in 1976 based on charges of possible secession and corruption. The DMK government has been indicted by the Sarkaria commission for corruption in allotting tenders for the [[Veeranam]] drainage project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/10/stories/0410223a.htm|work=The Hindu|title=What the Sarkaria Commission said|access-date=11 November 2013|date=10 June 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205052213/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/10/stories/0410223a.htm|archive-date=5 December 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
 
=== Alleged connections with LTTE ===
The interim report of the Justice [[Jain Commission]], which oversaw the investigation into [[Rajiv Gandhi]]'s [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|assassination]], indicted Karunanidhi for abetting the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/17111997/cov.html|last=Chawla|first=Prabhu|magazine=India Today|title=Jain Commission Revelations: Damning the DMK|access-date=11 November 2013|date=17 November 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034354/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/17111997/cov.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The interim report recommended that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the DMK party be held responsible for abetting Rajiv Gandhi's murderers. The final report contained no such allegations.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/14/stories/2004021405140100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040228033749/http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/14/stories/2004021405140100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=28 February 2004 | location=Chennai, India | title=No adverse comments on DMK leaders in Jain report | date=14 February 2004| work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>
 
=== Allegations of nepotism ===
Karunanidhi's nephew, [[Murasoli Maran]], was a [[Union Minister]]; however, it has been pointed out that he was in politics long before Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister in 1969.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2003/11/23/23maran1.html|title=Maran&nbsp;– the eyes and ears of DMK in Delhi|publisher=Indiainfo.com|access-date=11 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617023328/http://news.indiainfo.com/2003/11/23/23maran1.html|archive-date=17 June 2011}}</ref>
 
Many political opponents and DMK party senior leaders have been critical of the rise of M. K. Stalin in the party. He was appointed as Mayor and later as Deputy CM of TN. But some of the party men have pointed out that Stalin has come up on his own.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/19991101/stalin.html|title=Politics: Special Series; M K Stalin|work=India Today|date=1 November 1999|access-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034411/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/19991101/stalin.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi has been appointed as the Rajya Sabha MP.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Karunanidhi's nephew's son Dayanidhi Maran has been appointed as the central Minister.
Karunanidhi's son-in-law has been appointed as the central minister in the 2000s.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
 
Karunanidhi's grandson, son of Stalin Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been appointed as the MLA of TN assembly.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
 
Karunanidhi has been accused of helping Murasoli Maran's son [[Kalanidhi Maran]], who runs [[Sun Network]], India's second largest television network. According to ''Forbes'', Kalanidhi is among India's richest 20, with $2.9&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_CountryOfCitizen_11.html | work=Forbes | title=The World's Billionaires Page 11 of 41 | date=10 March 2010|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>
 
It has been pointed out that Karunanidhi has hesitated to take action against his erring family members.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=DMK's sonny-come-lately|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main18.asp?filename=Ne051306up_close.asp|magazine=Tehelka|date=13 May 2006|access-date=11 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911130612/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main18.asp?filename=Ne051306up_close.asp|archive-date=11 September 2012}}</ref>
 
Karunanidhi is also accused of allowing Azhagiri to function as an extraconstitutional authority in Madurai.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/19/stories/2003081902600400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031122081430/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/19/stories/2003081902600400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 November 2003 | location=Chennai, India | title=Charge sheet filed against Azhagiri in Kiruttinan case | date=19 August 2003| work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> The Dinakaran newspaper case was handed over to the CBI. But the District and Sessions court acquitted all the 17 accused in that case.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/10/stories/2009121059620100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213114829/http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/10/stories/2009121059620100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2009|title= All acquitted in Dinakaran case|date=5 December 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[2G spectrum case]]
* [[Granite scam in Tamil Nadu]]
* [[Controversy of arrests in Tamil Nadu about construction of flyovers]]
* [[Dinakaran attack]]
* [[Leelavathi murder]]
* [[Kallakudi demonstration]]
* [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
 
===Publications===
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book|first=M. L.|last=Ahuja|title=Electoral politics and general elections in India, 1952–1998|year=1998|publisher=Mittal Publication|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7099-711-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFCjniBF9s8C&pg=PA358|ref=Ahuja}}
* {{Cite book|first=Geetha Kamalakshi|last=Murali|author2=University of California, Berkeley|title=Tracing the signs: Voter mobilization and the functionality of ideas in ..|year=2007|location=MI|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mb2PDvlu30IC&pg=PA82|ref=Murali|isbn=9780549737612}}
* {{Cite book|first=Geetha Kamalakshi|last=Mahendra Singh|title=India votes: Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha elections 2001–2005|year=2006|publisher=Sarup & Sons|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7625-647-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yInZdHn-pKoC&q=admk&pg=PA413|ref=Mahendra Singh}}
* {{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Quadrennial Review 1957–62|publisher=Legislative Assembly Department|location=Fort St. George, Madras|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/reviews/Review_2-1957-62.pdf|date=June 1962|ref=second}}
* {{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Quadrennial Review 1962–67|publisher=Legislative Assembly Department|location=Fort St. George, Madras|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/reviews/review_3_62-67.pdf|date=June 1967|ref=third}}
* {{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Quadrennial Review 1967–70|publisher=Legislative Assembly Department|location=Fort St. George, Madras|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/reviews/Review%204_67-70.pdf|date=June 1971|ref=fourth|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225355/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/reviews/Review%204_67-70.pdf|archive-date=2 December 2013}}
* {{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Quadrennial Review 1971–76|publisher=Legislative Assembly Department|location=Fort St. George, Madras|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/reviews/Review_5_1971_1976.pdf|date=June 1976|ref=fifth}}
* {{cite web|title=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Quadrennial Review 1977–80|publisher=Legislative Assembly Department|location=Fort St. George, Madras|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/reviews/Review_6_1977_1980.pdf|year=1980|ref=sixth}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 1984|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=1984|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_1984/StatisticalReportTamilNadu84.pdf|ref=eighth}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2001|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=2001|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_2001/Stat_Rep_TN_2001.pdf|ref=twelfth}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2011|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=2011|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2011/stat_TN_May2011.pdf|ref=thirteenth}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly general elections 1980|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=1980|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_1980/StatisticalReportTamil%20Nadu%201980.pdf|ref=seventh}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly general elections 1989|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=1989|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_1989/StatisticalReportTamilNadu89.pdf|ref=ninth}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly general elections 1991|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=1991|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_1991/StatisticalReport-Tamil%20Nadu91.pdf|ref=tenth}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly general elections 1996|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=1996|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_1996/StatisticalReport-TN96.pdf|ref=eleventh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007221700/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1996/StatisticalReport-TN96.pdf|archive-date=7 October 2010}}
* {{cite web|title=Statistical report on Tamil Nadu Assembly general elections 2006|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|year=2006|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/statisticalreports/SE_2006/StatReport_TN_2006.pdf|ref=stat2006}}
{{Refend}}
 
==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dravidian-Progressive-Federation Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam] — entry at ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
 
{{Dravidian politics-hor}}
{{India separatist movements}}
{{Indian political parties}}
{{United Progressive Alliance |state=collapsed}}
 
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam| ]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Dravidian political parties]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1949]]
[[Category:Political parties in India]]
[[Category:Political parties in India]]
[[Category:Political parties in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Regionalist parties in India]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Social democratic parties in Asia]]
[[Category:1940s establishments in India]]
[[Category:State political parties in Puducherry]]
[[Category:State political parties in Tamil Nadu]]
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