| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chairperson | M Karunanidhi |
| Secretary-General | K Anbazhagan |
| Leader in Lok Sabha | A.K.S. Vijayan[1] |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Headquarters | Arivalayam, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600018 |
| Newspaper | Murasoli |
| Labour wing | Labour Progressive Federation |
| Ideology | Social Democratic/Populist |
| Alliance | National Democratic Alliance (1999-2004) United Progressive Alliance (2004-present) |
| Website | |
| http://www.dmk.in | |
| Politics of India Political parties Elections |
|
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil: திராவிட முன்னேற்றக் கழகம்) (literally "Dravidian Progress Federation" [2]) (founded 1949, Tamil Nadu, India) is a regional political party in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It also has presence in nearby union territory of Puducherry. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam (known as Justice Party till 1944) headed by Periyar. Since 1969, DMK is headed by M Karunanidhi, the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. DMK is the first single party other than Congress(other than Jammu & Kashmir to catch power in a state with clear majority.
Contents |
History
Justice Party
DMK traces its roots to the South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party) formed in 1916, by P. Thiyagarayar, Dr.P T Rajan, Dr. Natesanar and few others. The Justice Party, whose objectives included social equality and justice, came to power in the first General Elections to Chennai Presidency in 1920.[3] E. V. Ramasami Naicker, a popular Tamil leader of the time, who had joined Indian National Congress in 1919, to oppose what he considered as the Brahminic leadership of the party.[4] Naicker's experience at the Vaikom Satyagraha made him to start the Self-Respect Movement in 1926 which was rationalistic and "violently anti-Brahminic" [5]. 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.
Dravida Kazhagam
In August 1944, Periyar created the 'Dravida Kazhagham' out of the Justice Party and the Self-Respect Movement at the Salem Provincial Conference.[6] After independence, the Dravida Kazhagam and later the DMK demanded cessation from India.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Over the years, disputes arose between Periyar and his followers. In 1949, several of his followers led by C. N. Annadurai, decided to split from Dravida Kazhagham, after an aged Periyar married a young woman Maniammai and anointed his young wife 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 as his political heir.[7]
Annadurai, on September 17, 1949 along with V. R. Nedunchezhiyan, K.A.Mathialagan, K. Anbazhagan, N.V.Natarajan, E. V. K. Sampath and thousands of others in Robinson park in Royapuram in Chennai announced the formation of the DMK.
A few months later, M. Karunanidhi left DK and joined the DMK. The DMK carried on the principles and aims of the Justice Party and Dravidar Kazhagam. The movement was initially mooted as one that championed the cause of socially and economically disadvantaged sections of the society. It was also sympathetic to the demand for a separate "Dravida Nadu" state.
MGR's entry
MGR was a member of the DMK, and he was seen as an icon of the DMK and spread its message through films like Anbe Vaa. In 1953, MGR joined the DMK, popularised the party flag and symbol which at that time stood for secession from India by showing it in his movies. DMK entered the electoral fray rather unsuccessfully in 1957 with even senior leader V. R. Nedunchezhiyan losing from Salem although M Karunanidhi won after initially having opposed all Indian government and later supporting only those parties which promised to help its secession from India cause.
1960s
Annadurai wanted a separate Dravida Nadu but the DMK changed its stance with the Chinese invasion in 1962 and suspended its demand for the length of the war and supported India raising funds for the war. When the war ended, nationalistic feelings were so strong that DMK gave up the separate Dravida nation idea.
The Anti-Hindi agitations of 1965 forced the central government to abandon its efforts to impose Hindi as the only official language of the country; still Hindi imposition continued as Indian government employees are asked to do write as much as 65% of the letters and memoranda in Hindi.
In 1967, DMK came to power in Madras province 18 years after formation and 10 years after it had first entered electoral politics. This began the Dravidian era in Madras province which later became Tamil Nadu.
In 1969, party general secretary and founder, CN Annadurai died. After his death, there was a power tussle between M Karunanidhi and Nenduncheziyan and the post of party president was created as a compromise with Karunanidhi becoming the president and Nendunchediyan becoming general secretary.
Karunanidhi's presidency
MGR's exit
M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) who was a popular actor and the then party treasurer had played a vital part in popularizing the party's ideologies. The political feud between MGR and the party president Karunanidhi emerged as an aftermath of the latter calling himself "Mujib of Tamil Nadu". In 1972, MGR called for a boycott of the party's General Council. With the crisis falling into call for corruption probe by MGR, he was eventually suspended from the General Council. Thus emerged a new party Anna DMK (AIADMK).[8]
Post-MGR
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 true federal system.
After MGR's death in December 1987, AIADMK split into two factions between Janaki (MGR's wife) and Jayalalithaa. DMK returned to power in 1989 State assembly elections. Karunanidhi took over as chief minister in January 1989. Subsequent to this, the LTTE "sent personal emissaries to Karunanidhi for seeking his active support in their battle against the IPKF".[9]
Then in 1991 elections are arranged to be held for both State and Central government. In 21 May 1991 Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai in a election campaign meeting. It was later found the he has been killed by suicide bomber from LTTE, citing IPKF atrocities [10]in Srilanka as a reason.
This lead to sympathy wave favor of AIADMK - Congress alliance and DMK is deprived of any seats in the Parliament. This brings the rise of political rival J.Jayalalithaa to the DMK.
In 1996 election DMK came to power and M Karunanidhi form the government in the State. In 2004 parliamentary elections, DMK formed a alliance with Congress - PMK and swept a grand Victory, the alliance won all 40 seats including Puducherry. This enable 7 ministerial post in the Central government and influential power to DMK.
Two years later 2006 same alliance won in the state assembly election and DMK formed the government in the state. Mr. M Karunanidhi become fifth time the Chief Minister of the State.
Election history
See pdf for summary. DMK's worst poll performance ever in this state was registered in 1962 and its peak in 1996.
Madras State
| Year | General Election | Votes Polled | Seats Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 3rd Assembly | 3,435,633 | 00000 |
| 1962 | 3rd Lok Sabha | 2,315,610 | 7 |
| 1967 | 4th Assembly | 6,230,552 | 137 |
| 1967 | 4th Lok Sabha | 5,524,514 | 25 |
Tamil Nadu
| Year | General Election | Votes Polled | Seats Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 5th Assembly | 7,654,935 | 184 |
| 1971 | 5th Lok Sabha | 5,622,758 | 23 |
| 1977 | 6th Assembly | 4,258,771 | 48 |
| 1977 | 6th Lok Sabha | 3,323,320 | 2 |
| 1980 | 7th Assembly | 4,164,389 | 37 |
| 1980 | 7th Lok Sabha | 4,236,537 | 16 |
| 1984 | 8th Assembly | 6,362,770 | 24 |
| 1984 | 8th Lok Sabha | 5,597,507 | 2 |
| 1989 | 9th Assembly | 8,001,222 | 150 |
| 1989 | 9th Lok Sabha | 7,038,849 | 0 |
| 1991 | 10th Assembly | 5,535,668 | 2 |
| 1991 | 10th Lok Sabha | 5,601,597 | 0 |
| 1996 | 11th Assembly | 11,423,380 | 173 |
| 1996 | 11th Lok Sabha | 6,967,679 | 17 |
| 1998 | 12th Lok Sabha | 5,140,266 | 5 |
| 1999 | 13th Lok Sabha | 6,298,832 | 12 |
| 2001 | 12th Assembly | 8,669,864 | 31 |
| 2004 | 14th Lok Sabha | 7,064,393 | 16 |
| 2006 | 13th Assembly | 8,728,716 | 96 |
| 2009 | 15th Lok Sabha | 7,625,397 | 18 |
Pondicherry
| 1974 | 3rd Assembly | 47,823 | 2 |
| 1977 | 4th Assembly | 30,441 | 3 |
| 1980 | 5th Assembly | 68,030 | 14 |
| 1984 | 8th Lok Sabha | 97,672 | 0 |
| 1985 | 6th Assembly | 87,754 | 5 |
| 1989 | 9th Lok Sabha | 157,250 | 0 |
| 1990 | 7th Assembly | 101,127 | 9 |
| 1991 | 8th Assembly | 96,607 | 4 |
| 1991 | 10th Lok Sabha | 140,313 | 0 |
| 1996 | 9th Assembly | 105,392 | 7 |
| 1996 | 11th Lok Sabha | 183,702 | 0 |
| 1998 | 12th Lok Sabha | 168,122 | 1 |
| 2001 | 10th Assembly | 83,679 | 7 |
| 2006 | 11th Assembly | 7 |
See also
External links
- The official party website
- Election reports by EC
- Manisegaran on Dravida Movement
- Dravida Munnetra Kalagam at wordpress.com
References
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200905251241.htm
- ^ Rao, MSA (1979) Urban Sociology in India Orient Longman Publishers.
- ^ Radhan, O.P. (2002). "A Time-Bound Plan for Muslim India". Encyclopaedia of Political Parties. Anmol Publications. pp. 187. ISBN 8174888659.
- ^ Omvedt, Gail (2006). Dalit Visions: The Anti-caste Movement and the Construction on an Indian Identity. Orient Longman. pp. 54–55. ISBN 8125028951.
- ^ "Ethnic balance". India Today. December 20, 2007. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=2138&id=2714§ionid=30&Itemid=1. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
- ^ Dirks, Nicholas B. (2001). Castes of Mind: Colonialism and the Making of Modern India. Princeton University Press. pp. 263. ISBN 978-0691088952.
- ^ Priest-less weddings in TN VIP families - Sify News
- ^ Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr.(1973) Politics and the Film in Tamilnadu: The Stars and the DMK. Asian Survey. University of California Press.
- ^ "Jain commission interim report indicts FM, ex-Prime Minister". Indian Express. November 9, 1997. http://www.expressindia.com/news/fe/daily/19971109/31355243.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
- ^ IPKF ATROCITIES http://pallavaram-ravi.blogspot.com/2009/03/monday-december-22-2008-touching-moment.html
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