Anna Dravidar Kazhagam அண்ணா திராவிடர் கழகம் | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | ADK |
| Leader | V. K. Dhivakaran |
| Founder | V. K. Dhivakaran |
| Founded | 10 June 2018 |
| Headquarters | Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Ideology | Dravidianism Regionalism |
Anna Dravidar Kazhagam (ADK; Tamil: அண்ணா திராவிடர் கழகம்) is a regional political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was founded on 10 June 2018 in Mannargudi by V. K. Sasikala's estranged brother V. K. Dhivakaran, who serves as the party's general secretary. The party is named after C. N. Annadurai, the Dravidian movement veteran fondly addressed as "Anna" (elder brother in Tamil).[1][2]
History[edit | edit source]
Formation[edit | edit source]
Anna Dravidar Kazhagam was launched on 10 June 2018 in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, by V. K. Dhivakaran, the brother of V. K. Sasikala, the former aide of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. It was the second political outfit to emerge from Sasikala's extended family, after her nephew T. T. V. Dhinakaran floated the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).
Dhivakaran had fallen out of favour with Sasikala following his public spat with their nephew Dhinakaran. In May 2018, Sasikala had served a legal notice on Dhivakaran asking him to desist from taking her name in his public utterances. Dhivakaran described the notice as "blackmail politics" by Dhinakaran and declared that Sasikala had become his "former sister".
At the launch, Dhivakaran unveiled the party flag — red and black stripes with a green star in the centre. Green was regarded as the favourite colour of Jayalalithaa. Announcing himself as the party's general secretary, Dhivakaran said the party had been launched to end rumours of his joining the ruling AIADMK.
2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election[edit | edit source]
The party fielded candidates in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, including contestants in Attur (SC), Nannilam, Thirumayam and Palladam constituencies. The party did not win any seats.
Merger with Sasikala faction[edit | edit source]
On 12 July 2022, Dhivakaran "merged" his outfit with Sasikala's faction, backing her claim to represent the AIADMK.
Ideology and platform[edit | edit source]
The party draws its name and ideological inspiration from C. N. Annadurai and the Dravidian movement. Its flag — red and black stripes with a green star — echoes Dravidian colour symbolism while invoking the legacy of Jayalalithaa through the green star.
Leadership[edit | edit source]
- V. K. Dhivakaran — Founder and General Secretary
- D. Jai Anand — State Youth Secretary (son of Dhivakaran)
Electoral performance[edit | edit source]
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly[edit | edit source]
| Election | Seats contested | Seats won |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | 0 |
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Sasikala's brother launches political party Anna Dravidar Kazhagam | Sasikala's brother launches political party Anna Dravidar Kazhagam". www.deccanchronicle.com. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ "Sasikala's brother Divaharan launches Anna Dravidar Kazhagam". The Times of India. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
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