View source for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

{{Short description|Political party in India}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{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]]
| general_secretary  = [[Duraimurugan]]
| founder            = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| ppchairman         = [[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi]]
| loksabha_leader    = [[T. R. Baalu]]
| rajyasabha_leader  = [[Tiruchi Siva]]
| foundation         = {{Start date and age|df=yes|p=y|1949|09|17}}
| loksabha_seats     = {{Composition bar|22|543|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| rajyasabha_seats   = {{Composition bar|10|245|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| state_seats_name  = [[State Legislative Assembly (India)|State Legislative Assemblies]]
| state_seats       = {{Show
| List
| headerstyle=background:#ccccff
| style=text-align:center; 
|
 {{Composition bar|133|234|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}} {{small|([[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Tamil Nadu]])}} <br/> 
 {{Composition bar|6|30|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}} {{small|([[Puducherry Legislative Assembly|Puducherry]])}}
}}
| no_states          = {{Composition bar|1|31|hex={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| membership         = 
| eci                = [[List of political parties in India#State parties|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          = * '''National Alliance'''<br />[[Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance|I.N.D.I.A.]] (2023–present) 
* '''Regional Alliances'''<br/>[[Secular Progressive Alliance|SPA]] ([[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]])
{{hidden|Former Alliances|
*[[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] (2004–2013, 2016–2023) ''<small>(till dissolved)</small>'') (National)
* [[Democratic Progressive Alliance]] <br/> (2006-2019)
* [[DMK-led Alliance]] (1967-2006) ''<small>(till dissolved)</small>'') (Tamil Nadu)
* [[Indian National Congress|INC]]-DMK alliance ( 1971-1974; 1980-1983) (Tamil Nadu)
* [[Janata Party|Janata Alliance]] (1977-1980; 1984-1989) (Tamil Nadu)
* [[National Democratic Alliance]] <br/> (1999-2003) (India)
* [[National Front (India)|National Front]]<br/> (1989-1991) (India) 
* [[United Front (India, 1996)|United Front]] <br/> (1996-1998) (India)}}
| ideology           = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
 |[[Dravidianism]]{{Sfn|Palanithurai|1997|pp=21–22}}<br>[[Tamil nationalism]]<ref>Hardgrave, Robert L. "The DMK and the Politics of Tamil Nationalism." Pacific Affairs, vol. 37, no. 4, 1964, pp. 396–411. JSTOR, {{doi|10.2307/2755132}}. Accessed 6 Jun. 2022.</ref>
 |[[Regionalism (politics)|Regionalism]]<ref name="DMK's regionalism">{{Cite news|url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/03/07/regionalism-raises-ugly-head/|work=Arunachal Times|title=DMK has regionalism ideals}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Regionalism, Parties and India's emerging Politics |url=https://www.boell.de/en/2014/02/26/regionalism-parties-and-indias-emerging-politics |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Politics as family enterprise: Nationalist rhythm of BJP is challenge to regionalism |url=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/politics-as-family-enterprise-nationalist-rhythm-of-bjp-is-challenge-to-regionalism-249936 |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=WION |date=16 September 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref>
|[[Social democracy]]<ref name="dmk1"/><br>[[Progressivism]]<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>
|[[Secularism]]<ref name="DMK has secular ideals: CM Stalin">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/may/05/dmk-has-secular-ideals-cm-stalin-2449889.html|work=[[Indian Express]]|title=DMK has secular ideals: CM Stalin}}</ref>
}} 
| position           = [[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmk.in/en/party/ideology/|title=Ideology of DMK|publisher=DMK|access-date=16 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/in-the-dravidian-heartland-a-statue-for-marx-in-the-heart-of-chennai-stalin-keeps-the-red-in-good-humour-1503552390.html|title=In the Dravidian heartland, a statue for Marx in the heart of Chennai: Stalin keeps the red in good humour|publisher=The Statesman|date=|access-date=16 March 2026}}</ref>
| predecessor        = [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] (1917–1944)<br />[[Dravidar Kazhagam]]<br />(1944–1949)
| split              = [[Dravidar Kazhagam]]
| labour             = [[Labour Progressive Federation]] (LPF)
| youth              = Ilaignar Ani
| students           = Maanavar Ani
| women              = Magalir Ani
| headquarters       = Anna Arivalayam,<br />367–369, [[Anna Salai]], [[Teynampet]],&nbsp;[[Chennai]]&nbsp;-&nbsp;600018, [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| symbol             = [[File:Indian election symbol rising sun.svg|120px]]<br />Rising Sun
| flag               = Flag DMK.svg
|treasurer=[[T. R. Baalu]]}}
{{Dravidian politics-col}}
The '''Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam''' ('''DMK'''; {{IPA|ta|t̪iɾaːʋiɖɐ munːeːtrɐk kɐɻɐɡɐm}}; {{translation|Dravidian Progressive Federation}}){{Sfn|Rubinoff|1997|p=2829}} is an Indian [[Secularism|secular]] [[Progressivism|progressive]] political party based in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], where it is currently the ruling party, and the union territory of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], where it is currently the main opposition.<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>

The DMK was founded on 17 September 1949 by [[C. N. Annadurai]] as a breakaway faction from the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]], headed by [[Periyar]].<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|date=8 August 2018 |access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> The DMK was headed by Annadurai as the general secretary from 1949 until his death on 4 February 1969.<ref>{{Cite news|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|newspaper=What Happened on This Day in History – Maps of India|date=3 February 2014 |access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> He also served as the [[chief minister of Tamil Nadu]] from 1967 to 1969. Under Annadurai, in 1967 the DMK became the first party other than the [[Indian National Congress]] to win state-level elections with a clear majority on its own in India. [[M. Karunanidhi]] followed Annadurai as the first 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|date=7 August 2018 |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 Union 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 as the party president and as a chief minister of Tamil Nadu from May 2021.<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|date=29 May 2009|website=Mint|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref>

The DMK became the fifth-largest party in the [[Lok Sabha]] after the [[2024 Indian general election]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Lok Sabha |date=2025-02-16 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lok_Sabha |access-date=2025-02-18 |language=en}}</ref> It currently holds 126 seats in the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]], where the DMK-led [[Secular Progressive Alliance]] holds 159 out of 234 seats.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-03 |title=Assembly election 2021: DMK almost swept entire Tamil Nadu; western region went with AIADMK |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/tamil-nadu/assembly-election-2021-dmk-almost-swept-entire-tamil-nadu-western-region-went-with-aiadmk-981984.html |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Origins and foundation ===
[[File:India - Madurai - 039 (1887104659).jpg|thumb|Party flags in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]|300px]]
DMK traces its roots to the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] founded by [[C. Natesa Mudaliar]] in 1916, in the presence of [[P. Theagaraya Chetty]], [[P. T. Rajan]], [[T. M. Nair]], [[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.{{Sfn|Radhan|2002|p=187}} Communal division between [[Brahmin]]s and non-Brahmins 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-Brahmins in Madras and is seen as the start of the [[Dravidian movement]].{{Sfn|Fishman|Garcia|2010|pp=230–}}<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}}</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}}</ref> In 1935, [[Periyar]], a popular reformist leader at that time, 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><ref>{{Cite book |last=Vēṇu |first=Ē Es |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=83xIAAAAMAAJ |title=Why South Opposes Hindi |date=1979 |publisher=Justice Publications |pages=13 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/bitstream/2009/4724/6/MAU-1982-082-5.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721181844/http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/bitstream/2009/4724/6/MAU-1982-082-5.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-21 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in |page=192 & 193}}</ref>

In August 1944, Periyar created the '[[Dravidar Kazhagam]]' (DK) movement out of the Justice Party and the [[Self-Respect Movement]] at the Salem Provincial Conference.{{Sfn|Dirks|2001|p=263}} 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.{{Sfn|Dirks|2001|p=263}}

Over the years, many disagreements arose between Periyar and his followers. In 1949, [[C. N. Annadurai]] and other members decided to take part in electoral politics and Periyar had strong objection on it. [[C. N. Annadurai|Annadurai]] and several of his followers decided to split from the DK movement and form the DMK.<ref>{{Cite web |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>{{Sfn|Ram|1977}}

The Dravidian philosophy played a key role in the DMK at the helm of administration. It was described it as the earliest [[Subaltern (postcolonialism)|subaltern]] movement in the history of the [[Indian subcontinent]] politics to have political representation from former lower castes. This led to greater political participation, which improved representation of the emergent strata, enriched civic life, and subsequently strengthened pluralist democracy in the region.<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://doi.org/10.1080/713999599 |journal=Commonwealth & Comparative Politics |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=125–139 |doi=10.1080/713999599 |issn=1466-2043|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===C. N. Annadurai era (1949–1969)===
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| caption_align = center
| direction = vertical
| width     = 220
| image1    = CN Annadurai 1970 stamp of India.jpg
| caption1  = '''Dr. C.N. Annadurai'''<br />Founder of the party
}}{{Main|C. N. Annadurai}}
The DMK's initial participation in 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 [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]] were defeated. It fared somewhat better in the [[1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1962 elections]], winning 50 seats and becoming the main opposition party by founder annadurai lost his seat.<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 inherited the anti-[[Hindi imposition]] policies of its parent organization, DK. 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 proposed new name, proposed to be named after [[Dalmia Group|Ramkrishna Dalmia]], symbolized the exploitation of South India by the North.{{Sfn|Mills|Sen|2004|p=151}}<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}}</ref> On 15 July, [[M. Karunanidhi]] 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.{{Sfn|Ramaswamy|1997|p=8}}

The DMK continued its anti-Hindi Imposition policies throughout the 1950s, along with the secessionist demand for [[Dravida Nadu]], which initially adopted a more radical stance than the Dravida Kazhagam.{{Sfn|Jaffrelot|2003|p=244}} 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}}</ref>{{Sfn|Copley|1978|p=[https://archive.org/details/politicalcareero0000copl/page/311 311]}} 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|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>{{Sfn|Swaminathan|1974|p=8}}

On 31 July 1960, another open-air anti-Hindi conference was held in [[Kodambakkam]], Madras.{{Sfn|Venu|1979|p=76}} 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]]. The anti-Hindi stance remained and hardened with the passage of [[Official Languages Act, 1963|Official Languages Act of 1963]].{{Sfn|Rajagopalan|2001|pp=153–156}} 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=20 December 2007|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 the [[1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1967 assembly election]], DMK came to power in the [[Madras State]], 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 won a majority.{{Sfn|Chakrabarty|2008|pp=110–111}} The 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 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 }}</ref> Following the DMK's victory in the 1967 election, Annadurai formed a cabinet that was the youngest in India at the time.<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 }}</ref>

==== Other achievements ====
[[Self-respect marriages]] were legalized in India during Annadurai's tenure. 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 | newspaper = The Telegraph | location = Calcutta | date = 7 June 2004 | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040607/asp/nation/story_3340313.asp | access-date = 20 December 2008 | 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 = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Self-respect marriages were a brainchild of Periyar, who regarded the then conventional marriages as mere financial arrangements which led to great debt through [[dowry]] in many cases. Self-respect marriages, according to him, encouraged inter-caste marriages and caused [[arranged marriages]] to be replaced by [[Love marriage|love marriages.]]{{Sfn|Hodges|2005}}

Annadurai's party was among the first in India to include a promise of subsidized rice in its election manifesto. He promised one rupee a measure of rice, which he initially implemented once in government, but had to withdraw later. Subsidizing 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 }}</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 [[Rajya Sabha]] by [[Bhupesh Gupta]], a communist MP from [[West Bengal]], but was then defeated.{{Sfn|Rajagopalan|2001|pp=152–154}} With Annadurai as chief minister, the state assembly succeeded in passing the bill renaming the state.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

Annadurai's government introduced a two-language policy, favoring Tamil and English over Hindi, which marked a significant shift from the previously proposed [[three language formula]]. The three-language formula, which was implemented in the neighboring states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]], mandated students to study three languages: the regional language, [[English language|English]], and [[Hindi]].{{Sfn|Hardgrave|1965}}

===M. Karunanidhi era (1969–2018)===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| caption_align     = center
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| image1            = M. Karunanidhi .jpg
| caption1          = '''Dr. M. Karunanidhi'''<br />Former President of the party
}}

{{Main|M. Karunanidhi}}

In 1969, after Annadurai's death, M. Karunanidhi was elected as his successor, defeating rival candidate [[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]. Karunanidhi headed the DMK until his own death in 2018.<ref name=":0" /> He was also appointed as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on 10 February 1969, sworn in by then Governor [[Sardar Ujjal Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-17 |title=Milestones in a long journey |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article24705340.ece |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref>

In the 1970s, [[M. G. Ramachandran]] (M.G.R.), a popular actor and the party treasurer, had a political feud with 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. leading to his suspension from the General Council by the high-power committee of DMK.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}} M.G.R. left the DMK and created a new political party, the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK).{{Sfn|Hardgrave|1973}}

In 1976, during the [[The Emergency (India)|emergency period]],<ref>{{Citation |title=EMERGENCY |date=2025-06-10 |work=Indira Gandhi and the Years that Transformed India |pages=192–223 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.28697857.15 |access-date=2025-09-11 |publisher=Yale University Press |doi=10.2307/jj.28697857.15 |isbn=978-0-300-28369-3|url-access=subscription }}</ref> prime minister [[Indira Gandhi]] dismissed the Karunanidhi government,<ref>{{Cite news |title=An island of democracy |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/an-island-of-democracy/article24703897.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212001859/https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/an-island-of-democracy/article24703897.ece |archive-date=2025-02-12 |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=Frontline |language=en}}</ref> fifty days before his tenure ended, citing failure to maintain law and order, implement emergency measures, uphold national discipline, and promote economic development.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1976-02-01 |title=Mrs. Gandhi Dismisses Opposition Government of a State and Takes Over Rule (Published 1976) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/02/01/archives/mrs-gandhi-dismisses-opposition-government-of-a-state-and-takes.html |access-date=2025-09-11 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The political journey of M Karunanidhi: A timeline - End of an era |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/the-political-journey-of-m-karunanidhi-a-timeline/alliance-at-centre/slideshow/65311578.cms |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}</ref> The [[Sarkaria Commission]] later investigated the DMK government for alleged irregularities in awarding tenders related to the [[Veeranam]] drainage project.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 June 2001 |title=What the Sarkaria Commission said |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/10/stories/0410223a.htm |url-status=usurped |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205052213/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/10/stories/0410223a.htm |archive-date=5 December 2010}}</ref> However, no corruption charges were formally proven against Karunanidhi in the court.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karunanidhi a visionary and a reformist pushing for social justice: Biographer Vasanthi |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=704339 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=www.daijiworld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-08-09 |title=Karunanidhi: Tamil Nadu politics' ultimate comeback man |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karunanidhi-tamil-nadu-politics-ultimate-comeback-man-dmk-stalin-chennai-5298469/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207033443/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karunanidhi-tamil-nadu-politics-ultimate-comeback-man-dmk-stalin-chennai-5298469/ |archive-date=2022-12-07 |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=The Indian Express |language=en-US}}</ref>

The interim report of the [[Jain Commission]], which oversaw the investigation into the [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|assassination]] of [[Rajiv Gandhi]], indicted Karunanidhi for abetting the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Chawla |first=Prabhu |date=17 November 1997 |title=Jain Commission Revelations: Damning the DMK |url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/17111997/cov.html |url-status=dead |magazine=India Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034354/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/17111997/cov.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=11 November 2013}}</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 |date=14 February 2004 |title=No adverse comments on DMK leaders in Jain report |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/14/stories/2004021405140100.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040228033749/http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/14/stories/2004021405140100.htm |archive-date=28 February 2004}}</ref>

==== Elections under Karunanidhi's presidency ====
{{More citations needed|section|date=November 2025}}
* DMK lost the 1977 Assembly elections to the AIADMK, and stayed out of power in the state until 1989.{{sfn|Murali|2007|page=82}} After MGR's death in December 1987, AIADMK split into two factions led by MGR's wife [[V. N. Janaki|Janaki]] and [[Jayalalithaa]]. The DMK returned to power in the [[1989 Tamil Nadu state assembly elections|1989 state assembly elections]] and for the third time, Karunanidhi took over as the chief minister in January 1989.
* The [[1991 Lok Sabha election]] was held with the backdrop of DMK government having dissolved within two years of formation due to pressure from ex-Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]] leading an alliance with [[Samajwadi Janata Party]]. In the same year, Rajiv Gandhi was [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|killed]] by a suicide bomber during his election campaign, and due to DMK's pro-Tamil stance and the dismissal of the state government mid-campaign by Rajiv, public sentiments were against DMK and instead in favor of the AIADMK–Congress alliance, causing the DMK to not win any seats in the Parliament.
* In the 1996 state elections, DMK came to power on strength of corruption charges against Jayalalithaa and their alliance with [[Tamil Maanila Congress]] (TMC), headed by [[G.K. Moopanar]].
* In 2001, the AIADMK, on strength of a strong alliance and anti-incumbency factor against DMK, came back to power in the state assembly elections.
* In the [[2004 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|2004 general election]], DMK formed an alliance with Congress, the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK), and the [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK). The alliance won all 40 seats of the state including [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. The DMK held 7 ministerial posts in the central government cabinet.
* Two years later in 2006, the same alliance won in the state assembly elections and the DMK 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 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|2009 general 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 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|2014 general election]], DMK failed to win any seats.
* In the 2016 state assembly elections, DMK won 89 seats. This was the most number for a single opposition party in the history of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.

==== Favouritism towards family members ====
Karunanidhi has faced accusations and criticism of favouring family members for prominent political and constitutional positions. His supporters have denied these allegations, describing the appointments as based on political trust and experience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaac |first=Anna |date=2018-08-08 |title=Nepotism or survival? Why Karunanidhi chose family when it came to New Delhi |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/nepotism-or-survival-why-karunanidhi-chose-family-when-it-came-new-delhi-86173 |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> Karunanidhi's nephew, [[Murasoli Maran]], was a [[Union Minister]] under multiple governments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maran&nbsp;– the eyes and ears of DMK in Delhi |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2003/11/23/23maran1.html |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 |access-date=11 November 2013 |publisher=Indiainfo.com}}</ref> [[M. K. Stalin]] was elected as the Mayor of [[Chennai]] and later as the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 November 1999 |title=Politics: Special Series; M K Stalin |url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/19991101/stalin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034411/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/19991101/stalin.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=11 November 2013 |work=India Today}}</ref> Karunanidhi's daughter [[Kanimozhi]] has been appointed as the Rajya Sabha MP twice in 2007 and 2013.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 July 2007 |title=Kanimozhi, D Raja take oath as Rajya Sabha members |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kanimozhi-d-raja-take-oath-as-rajya-sabha-members/articleshow/2235368.cms |work=timesofindia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2013 |title=Kanimozhi wins Rajya Sabha polls, so does Raja |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/kanimozhi-d-raja-wins-rajya-sabha-polls-tamil-nadu-168269-2013-06-27 |access-date=27 June 2013 |work=indiatoday}}</ref> Karunanidhi's nephew's son [[Dayanidhi Maran]] had been appointed as a Union Minister in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-10-19 |title=Dayanidhi Maran hands over resignation to DMK chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/dayanidhi-maran-hands-over-resignation-to-dmk-chief-31894-2008-10-19 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Karunanidhi's grandson, M. K. Stalin's son, [[Udhayanidhi Stalin]], has been elected as an MLA in the state assembly.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 May 2021 |title=Tamil Nadu: Udhayanidhi Stalin wins big, cements claim to political legacy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-udhayanidhi-stalin-wins-big-cements-claim-to-political-legacy/articleshow/82362964.cms |work=timesofindia}}</ref> Karunanidhi is also accused of allowing [[M. K. Alagiri|Azhagiri]] to function as an extraconstitutional authority in [[Madurai]].<ref>{{cite news |date=19 August 2003 |title=Charge sheet filed against Azhagiri in Kiruttinan case |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/19/stories/2003081902600400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031122081430/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/19/stories/2003081902600400.htm |archive-date=22 November 2003 |access-date=11 November 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

=== M. K. Stalin era (2018–present) ===
{{Main|M. K. Stalin}}

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| caption1          = '''Dr. M.K. Stalin'''<br />President of the party
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[[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>

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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|author1=மின்னம்பலம் |url=https://minnambalam.com/k/2018/03/26/31|title=ஸ்டாலின் முன்வைத்த ஐம்பெரும் முழக்கங்கள்!|website=மின்னம்பலம்|date=17 February 2019 |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|first=Priya|last=Lakshmi|date=25 March 2018|website=oneindia.com|language=ta|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref>

# Let us keep an eye on the Kalaignar's command
# Let us grow and admire Tamil
# Let us crush the power pile
# Let us protect humanity from extremism
# Let us grow a prosperous Tamil Nadu
During 2025 end the DMK constituted a committee headed by [[Kanimozhi]], to prepare the manifesto for the [[2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-12-17 |title=Kanimozhi to head DMK's 2026 Assembly election manifesto committee |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kanimozhi-to-head-dmks-assembly-election-manifesto-committee/article70408015.ece |access-date=2026-01-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> MK Stalin launched the party's election manifesto portal on 3 January 2026 at the party headquarters.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2026-01-03 |title=Tamil Nadu elections: Stalin launches DMK manifesto portal 2026; alliance with Congress under spotlight |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tamil-nadu-assembly-elections-stalin-launches-dmk-manifesto-portal-2026-alliance-with-congress-under-spotlight/articleshow/126320024.cms |access-date=2026-01-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Over 14,000 suggestions received was received from citizens across the state on the day day one.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-01-04 |title=DMK receives 14,318 suggestions for manifesto on day one |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dmk-receives-14318-suggestions-for-manifesto-on-day-one/article70470860.ece |access-date=2026-01-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

==== Elections under M.K. Stalin presidency ====

* In the [[2019 Indian general election|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> DMK contested as part of the [[United Progressive Alliance]] led by the [[Indian National Congress]]. The alliance secured 38 out of 39 seats in [[2019 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu]] 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 |date=24 May 2019|first=D.|last=Govardan|website=The Times of India|access-date=29 December 2019}}</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> and won in [[2019 Indian general election in Puducherry|Puducherry]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Final Voter turnout of Phase 1 to Phase 7 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 |url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9997-final-voter-turnout-of-phase-1-to-phase-7-of-the-lok-sabha-elections-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525003910/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9997-final-voter-turnout-of-phase-1-to-phase-7-of-the-lok-sabha-elections-2019/ |archive-date=2019-05-25 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Election Commission of India |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lok Sabha Elections Party Wise Result |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections/parties |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
* The DMK-led [[Secular Progressive Alliance|Secular Progressive alliance]] secured a majority in the [[2019 Tamil Nadu local elections|2019 Tamil Nadu local body elections]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 January 2020 |title=DMK alliance wins Tamil Nadu rural local body polls |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/dmk-alliance-wins-tamil-nadu-rural-local-body-polls/articleshow/73086250.cms |access-date=24 March 2020 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nath |first=Akshaya |date=January 4, 2020 |title=Tamil Nadu local body poll results: DMK wins 243 district panchayat wards, AIADMK 214; counting underway |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 |access-date=24 March 2020 |website=India Today}}</ref>
* In the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2021 state assembly election]], the Secular Progressive Alliance won a majority by securing 159 seats out of 234 seats with a 46% vote share.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamil Nadu General Legislative Election 2021 |url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/13680-tamil-nadu-general-legislative-election-2021/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902150932/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/13680-tamil-nadu-general-legislative-election-2021/ |archive-date=2021-09-02 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=Election Commission of India |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IndiaVotes AC: Tamil Nadu 2021 |url=https://www.indiavotes.com/vidhan-sabha/2021/tamil-nadu/283/www.indiavotes.com/vidhan-sabha/2021/tamil-nadu/283/40 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=IndiaVotes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sushanth |title=Tamil nadu Assembly Election Results 2021 |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/result/kerala-assembly-election-2021/indepth/election_results.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=Mathrubhumi}}</ref> Analysts partly attributed the victory to political developments within the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]], including the rise and decline of [[V. K. Sasikala|V.K. Sasikala]], and subsequent internal leadership challenges.<ref name=":1" />    
* In the [[2024 Indian general election|2024 general election]], as part of the [[INDIA Alliance]], the DMK contested 21 constituencies. The alliance won all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, resulting in a clean sweep in the region.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=Tamil Nadu election results 2024: DMK alliance sweeps Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Kallakurichi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dmk-alliance-sweeps-cuddalore-villupuram-and-kallakurichi/article68251459.ece |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>

==Party ideology==
{{Social democracy sidebar}}
{{Socialism sidebar}}
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam follows the principle of Duty, Dignity, and Discipline, as instructed by [[C. N. Annadurai]]. This involves protecting democratic rights in politics, establishing a non-dominant society, and carrying out reform work based on rationality to promote the revival of Dravidian ideology. The party aims to overcome poverty in the economic sphere and provide means for the well-being of all on an equitable basis. The party also aims to develop and promote the respective state languages without allowing other languages to dominate. The party believes in promoting the decentralization of powers from the Union government and creating autonomy in the states and federalism at the center.<ref>{{cite web |title=Party ideology|website=DMK|url=https://www.dmk.in/en/party/ideology/}}</ref>

===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.

=== 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 Annadurai, 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.{{Sfn|Palanithurai|1997|pp=21–22}}

=== Social justice ===
The DMK has been involved in the protest for [[OBC quota|OBC]] reservation, ensuring the provision legalizing OBC reservation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india/amendments/constitution-india-first-amendment-act-1951|title=THE CONSTITUTION (FIRST AMENDMENT) ACT, 1951&#124; National Portal of India|website=www.india.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=protest of Periyar and Anna| url=https://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2010/the-road-to-fort-st-george.html}}</ref> The party holds OBC welfare as a tenet of its core ideology<ref>{{cite news |title=Stalin welcomes Supreme court order favouring OBC reservation in medical courses |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=8 January 2022 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/dmk-welcomes-sc-order-on-obc-quota-in-medical-courses/articleshow/88767324.cms}}</ref> and has implemented [[Reservation in India|reservation]] related policies in favour of OBCs <ref>{{cite web |title=source article |date=29 March 2021 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/how-tamil-nadu-s-reservation-stands-69-despite-50-quota-cap-146116}}</ref> and [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|SCs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Temple to honour DMK leader Karunanidhi to be built in Tamil Nadu |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/temple-to-honour-dmk-leader-karunanidhi-to-be-built-in-tamil-nadu-5935903/|website=The Indian Express |date=25 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

The DMK reconstituted the disabled persons welfare board to Differently Abled Persons Departments and 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|date=7 August 2018 |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 pictured. The symbol was inspired by the 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|website=thenewsminute|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
===Lok Sabha Elections===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Year
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Party leader
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Seats won
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Change in seats
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Percentage of votes
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Popular vote
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Outcome
|-
| [[1962 Indian general election|1962]]
| rowspan=2|[[C. N. Annadurai]]
| {{Composition bar compact|7|41|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 5
| 18.64%
| 2,315,610
| rowspan="2" {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1967 Indian general election|1967]]
|{{Composition bar compact|25|25|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 18
| 51.79%
| 7,996,264
|-
| [[1971 Indian general election|1971]]
|rowspan=12|[[M. Karunanidhi]]
|{{Composition bar compact|23|23|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| 55.61%
| 8,869,095
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1977 Indian general election|1977]]
|{{Composition bar compact|1|19|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 22
| 37.84%
| 6,758,517
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1980 Indian general election|1980]]
|{{Composition bar compact|16|16|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 15
| 55.89%
| 10,290,515
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1984 Indian general election|1984]]
|{{Composition bar compact|2|28|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 14
| 37.04%
| 8,006,513
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1989 Indian general election|1989]]
|{{Composition bar compact|0|32|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| 33.78%
| 8,918,905
|rowspan="2" {{lost|Lost}}
|-
| [[1991 Indian general election|1991]]
|{{Composition bar compact|0|29|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{steady}}
| 27.64%
| 6,823,581
|-
| [[1996 Indian general election|1996]]
|{{Composition bar compact|17|18|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 17
| 54.96%
| 14,940,474
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1998 Indian general election|1998]]
|{{Composition bar compact|6|18|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 11
| 42.72%
| 10,937,809
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1999 Indian general election|1999]]
|{{Composition bar compact|12|18|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 6
| 46.41%
| 12,638,602
| rowspan="3" {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
|{{Composition bar compact|16|16|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 4
| 57.40%
| 16,483,390
|-
| [[2009 Indian general election|2009]]
|{{Composition bar compact|18|21|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 2
| 42.54%
| 12,929,043
|-
| [[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
|{{Composition bar compact|0|34|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 18
| 23.16%
| 10,243,767
| {{lost|Lost}}
|-
|[[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
|rowspan=2|[[M. K. Stalin]]
|{{Composition bar compact|24|24|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
|{{increase}} 24
|32.76%
|14,363,332
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[2024 Indian general election|2024]]
|{{Composition bar compact|22|22|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
|{{Decrease}} 2
|26.93%
|11,689,879| 11,689,879
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|}

{{Vertical bar chart
|1962|7
|1967|25
|1971|23
|1977|1
|1980|16
|1984|2
|1989|0
|1991|0
|1996|17
|1998|6
|1999|12
|2004|16
|2009|18
|2014|0
|2019|24
|2024|22
|full_name=All time–DMK Lok Sabha seat count
|type=demographic
|color=red
}}

=== Legislative Assembly elections ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Year
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Party leader
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Seats won
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Change in seats
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Percentage of votes
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Popular vote
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Outcome
|-
!colspan=11 |[[Puducherry Legislative Assembly|Puducherry]]
|-
| [[1974 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1974]]
|rowspan=11|[[M. Karunanidhi]]
|{{Composition bar compact|2|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 2
|
| 47,823
| rowspan="2" {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1977 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1977]]
|{{Composition bar compact|3|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| 
| 30,441
|-
| [[1980 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1980]]
|{{Composition bar compact|14|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 11
| 
| 68,030
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1985 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1985]]
|{{Composition bar compact|5|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 9
| 
| 87,754
| {{partial|Others}}
|-
| [[1990 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1990]]
|{{Composition bar compact|9|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 4
|
| 101,127
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[1991 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1991]]
|{{Composition bar compact|4|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 5
|
| 96,607
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1996 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1996]]
|{{Composition bar compact|7|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 3
|
| 105,392
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2001 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|2001]]
|{{Composition bar compact|7|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{steady}}
|
| 83,679
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[2006 Puducherry Legislative Assembly election|2006]]
|{{Composition bar compact|7|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{steady}}
|
|
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2011 Puducherry Legislative Assembly election|2011]]
|{{Composition bar compact|3|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 4
| 10.68%
| 74,552
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[2016 Puducherry Legislative Assembly election|2016]]
|{{Composition bar compact|2|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| 8.9%
| 70,836
| {{yes2|Government}}
|-
| [[2021 Puducherry Legislative Assembly election|2021]]
|[[M. K. Stalin]]
|{{Composition bar compact|6|30|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
|{{increase}} 4
| 18.51%
|154,858
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-                                  |-
!colspan=11 |[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Tamil Nadu]]
|-
| [[1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1962]]
|rowspan=2|[[C. N. Annadurai]]
|{{Composition bar compact|50|205|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 37
| 27.10%
| 3,435,633
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1967]]
|{{Composition bar compact|137|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 87
| 40.69%
| 6,230,556
| rowspan="2" {{yes2|Government}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971]]
|rowspan=11|[[M. Karunanidhi]]
|{{Composition bar compact|184|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 47
| 48.58%
| 7,654,935
|-
| [[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977]]
|{{Composition bar compact|48|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 136
| 24.89%
| 4,258,771
| rowspan="2" {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| [[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]]
|{{Composition bar compact|37|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 11
| 22.1%
| 4,164,389
|-
| [[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]]
|{{Composition bar compact|24|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{decrease}} 13
| 29.3%
| 6,362,770
| {{partial|Others}}
|-
| [[1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1989]]
|{{Composition bar compact|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 compact|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 compact|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 compact|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 compact|96|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
| {{increase}} 65
| 26.50%
| 8,728,716
| {{yes2|Minority<br />Government}}
|-
| [[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2011]]
|{{Composition bar compact|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 compact|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 compact|133|234|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}}}
|{{increase}} 44
|37.7%
|17,430,179
|{{yes2|Government}}
|}{{Vertical bar chart
|1962|50
|1967|137
|1971|184
|1977|48
|1980|37
|1984|24
|1989|150
|1991|2
|1996|173
|2001|31
|2006|96
|2011|23
|2016|89
|2021|133
|full_name=All time–DMK Assembly seat count (Tamil Nadu)
|type=demographic
|color=red
}}{{Vertical bar chart
|1974|2
|1977|3
|1980|14
|1985|5
|1990|9
|1991|4
|1996|7
|2001|7
|2006|7
|2011|3
|2016|2
|2021|6
|full_name=All time–DMK Assembly seat count (Puducherry)
|type=demographic
|color=red
}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+[[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] Elections
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Year
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Assembly
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Party leader
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Seats contested
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Seats won
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Change in seats
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Percentage of votes
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Vote swing
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Popular vote
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Outcome
|-
|[[1972 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1972]]
|5th
|rowspan=2|[[M.&nbsp;Karunanidhi]]
|3
|{{Composition bar compact|0|287|{{party color|DMK}}}}
|{{steady}}
|0.26%
|{{steady}}
|36,466
|rowspan=2 {{lost|Lost}}
|-
|[[1978 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1978]]
|6th
|2
|{{Composition bar compact|0|294|{{party color|DMK}}}}
|{{steady}}
|0.03%
|{{decrease}} 0.23%
|6,547
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+[[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]] Elections
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Year
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Assembly
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Party leader
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Seats contested
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Seats won
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Change in seats
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Percentage of votes
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Vote swing
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Popular vote
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Outcome
|-
|[[1978 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|1978]]
|6th
|[[M.&nbsp;Karunanidhi]]
|3
|{{Composition bar compact|0|224|{{party color|DMK}}}}
|{{steady}}
|0.13%
|{{steady}}
|16,437
|{{lost|Lost}}
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+[[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] Elections
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Year
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Assembly
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Party leader
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Seats contested
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Seats won
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Change in seats
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Percentage of votes
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Vote swing
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Popular vote
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Outcome
|-
|[[1970 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1970]]
|4th
|[[M.&nbsp;Karunanidhi]]
|1
|{{Composition bar compact|0|133|{{party color|DMK}}}}
|{{steady}}
|0.02%
|{{steady}}
|1,682
|{{lost|Lost}}
|}

==Current office bearers and prominent members==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Member
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Position in Government
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}};color:white"|Party Position
|-
|[[M. K. Stalin]]
|
*[[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
*[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] from  [[Kolathur Assembly constituency|Kolathur]]
*Former [[Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
|President
|-
|[[Duraimurugan]]
|
*Minister for Water Resources of Tamil Nadu
*[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] from  [[Katpadi Assembly constituency|Katpadi]]
*[[List of leaders of the house in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Leader of the House in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]
|General Secretary
|-
|[[T. R. Baalu]]
|
*[[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] from [[Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha constituency|Sriperumbudur]]
*Former Minister of Shipping of the Republic of India
*Former [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
|Treasurer and Lok Sabha Leader
|-
|[[K. N. Nehru]]
|
*Minister for Municipal Administration
*[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] from [[Tiruchirappalli West Assembly constituency|Tiruchirappalli West]]
|Party Principal Secretary
|-
|[[I. Periyasamy]]
|
* Minister for Rural Administration
* MLA from [[Athoor (state assembly constituency)|Aathoor]]
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[Tiruchi N. Siva|Tiruchi Siva]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/dmk-mp-tiruchi-siva-appointed-new-party-deputy-general-secretary-829676 | title=DMK MP Tiruchi Siva appointed new party deputy general secretary | website=[[DT Next]] | date=11 April 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/dmk-removes-minister-ponmudy-from-the-post-of-deputy-general-secretary-829675 | title=Stalin sacks Ponmudy from party post over his 'vulgar' remarks | website=[[DT Next]] | date=11 April 2025 }}</ref>
|
* Leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Rajya Sabha
* [[Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[A. Raja]]
|
* Member of Parliament (LS) from [[Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency|Nilgiris]]
* Former Union Minister for Information Technology
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[P. Selvarasu|Anthiyur P. Selvaraj]]
|
* Member of Rajya Sabha,
* Former State Minister for Handlooms and Textile
|Deputy General Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi]] 
|
* [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] from [[Thoothukkudi Lok Sabha constituency|Thoothukkudi]]
* Former [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
|{{ubl|Deputy General Secretary and|Parliamentary Chairperson}}
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[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>
|
* Former Member of Parliament (RS)
* Former Chairman of Alandur Municipality
|Organization Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[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}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|
* Former Member of Parliament (RS)
|Official Spokesperson
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[Udhayanidhi Stalin]]
|
* Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
* Minister for Planning and Development
* Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu
* Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency|Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni]]
|Youth Wing Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[T. R. B. Rajaa]]
|
* Minister for Industries,Investments and Commerce
* Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Mannargudi (state assembly constituency)|Mannargudi]]
|Information Technology Wing Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|Helena Davidson
|
* Former Member of Parliament (LS) from [[Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha constituency|Kanniyakumari]]
| Women's Wing Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[C. V. M. P. Ezhilarasan]]
|
* Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Kancheepuram (state assembly constituency)|Kancheepuram]]
|Students' Wing Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
| |[[Dayanidhi Maran]]
|
* Member of Parliament (LS) from [[Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency|Central Chennai]]
* Former Union Minister for Information Technology
| Sports Wing Secretary
|-
|[[Palanivel Thiagarajan]]
|
* Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services
* Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from [[Madurai Central Assembly constituency|Madurai Central]]
|Assets Committee Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|[[Ezhilan Naganathan]]
|
* Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Thousand Lights Assembly constituency|Thousand Lights]]
|Medical Wing Secretary
|- style="text-align:left;
|M M Abdulla
|
* Member of Parliament (RS)
|NRI Wing Secretary
|}

==List of party leaders==
===Presidents===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Name<br/>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Term in office
|-
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!1
|[[File:M. Karunanidhi .jpg|100px]]
|'''[[M. Karunanidhi]]'''<br/><small>(1924–2018)</small>
|27 July 1969
|7 August 2018
|{{age in years and days|1969|07|27|2018|8|7}}
|-
!2                                   
|[[File:The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg|133x133px|The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin]]
|'''[[M. K. Stalin]]'''<br/><small>(born in 1953)</small>
|28 August 2018
|''incumbent''
|rowspan=2|{{age in years and days|2018|08|28}}
|}

===Working President===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Name<br/>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Term in office 
|-
!1
|[[File:The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg|133x133px|The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin]]
|'''[[M. K. Stalin]]'''<br/><small>(born in 1953)</small>
|4 January 2017
|27 August 2018
|{{age in years and days|2017|01|04|2018|08|27}}
|}

===General Secretaries===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Name<br/>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Term in office
|-
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!rowspan=2|1
|rowspan=2|[[File:CN Annadurai.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=2|'''[[C. N. Annadurai]]'''<br/><small>(1909–1969)</small>
|17 September 1949
|24 April 1955
|rowspan=2|13 years, 350 days
|-
|25 September 1960
|3 February 1969
|-
!rowspan=2|2
|rowspan=2|[[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|rowspan=2|'''[[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]'''<br/><small>(1920–2000)</small>
|24 April 1955
|24 September 1960
|rowspan=2|13 years, 254 days
|-
|4 February 1969
|16 May 1977
|-
!3
|[[File:Anbazhagan2006.jpg|100px]]
|'''[[K. Anbazhagan]]'''<br/><small>(1922–2020)</small>
|17 May 1977
|7 March 2020
|42 years, 295 days
|-
!4
|[[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|'''[[Duraimurugan]]'''<br/><small>(born in 1938)</small>
|9 September 2020
|''Incumbent''
|{{age in years and days|2020|09|09}}
|}

==List of chief ministers==
=== Chief Minister of Madras State ===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Name<br/>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|{{white|Assembly}}]]<br/>{{small|([[Elections in Tamil Nadu|{{white|Election}}]])}}
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Elected constituency
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Ministry
|-
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!1
|[[File:CN Annadurai.jpg|100px]]
|'''[[C. N. Annadurai]]'''<br/><small>(1909–1969)</small>
|6 March 1967
|13 January 1969
|1 year, 313 days
|[[4th Madras State Assembly|4th]]<br/>{{small|([[1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election|1967]])}}
|[[State legislative councils of India#Member of the Legislative Council|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]
|[[Annadurai ministry|Annadurai]]
|}

===Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu===
{{further|List of chief ministers of Tamil Nadu}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Ministry
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Constituency
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Assembly<br />{{small|Election}}
|-
!style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Start
!style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|End
!style="background-color:#FF0000;color:white"|Duration<br />{{small|in days}}
|-
!rowspan=1|1
|rowspan=1|[[File:CN Annadurai.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=1|'''[[C. N. Annadurai]]'''<br /><small>(1909–1969)</small>
|14 January 1969
|3 February 1969
!'''20 days'''
|[[Annadurai ministry|Annadurai]]
|[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]]
|[[4th Madras State Assembly|4th]]<br />[[1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election|<small>(1967)</small>]]
|-
!rowspan=1|Acting
|rowspan=1|[[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|rowspan=1|'''[[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]'''<br /><small>(1910–1988)</small>
|3 February 1969
|10 February 1969
!'''7 days'''
|[[First Nedunchezhiyan ministry|Nedunchezhiyan I]]
|[[Triplicane Assembly constituency|Triplicane]]
|[[4th Madras State Assembly|4th]]<br />[[1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election|<small>(1967)</small>]]
|-
!rowspan=5|2
|rowspan=5|[[File:M. Karunanidhi .jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=5|'''[[M. Karunanidhi]]'''<br /><small>(1924–2018)</small>
|10 February 1969
|14 March 1971
!'''{{ayd|1969|2|10|1971|3|14}}'''
|[[First Karunanidhi ministry|Karunanidhi I]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Saidapet Assembly constituency|Saidapet]]
|[[4th Madras State Assembly|4th]]<br />[[1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election|<small>(1967)</small>]]
|-
|15 March 1971
|31 January 1976
!'''{{ayd|1971|3|15|1976|1|31}}'''
|[[Second Karunanidhi ministry|Karunanidhi II]]
|5th<br />{{small|(1971)}}
|-
|27 January 1989
|30 January 1991
!'''{{ayd|1989|1|27|1991|1|30}}'''
|[[Third Karunanidhi ministry|Karunanidhi III]]
|[[Harbour Assembly constituency|Harbour]]
|11th<br />[[1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|{{small|(1989)}}]]
|-
|13 May 1996
|13 May 2001
!'''{{ayd|1996|5|13|2001|5|13}}'''
|[[Fourth Karunanidhi ministry|Karunanidhi IV]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Chepauk Assembly constituency|Chepauk]]
|11th<br />[[1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|{{small|(1996)}}]]
|-
|13 May 2006
|15 May 2011
!'''{{ayd|2006|5|13|2011|5|15}}'''
|[[Fifth Karunanidhi ministry|Karunanidhi V]]
|13th<br />[[2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|{{small|(2006)}}]]
|-
!rowspan=1|3
|rowspan=1| [[File:The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg|133x133px|The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin]]
|rowspan=1|'''[[M. K. Stalin]]<ref>https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mk-stalin-dmk-chief-takes-oath-as-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-243677 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-05-05 |title=M.K. Stalin appointed Tamil Nadu CM, swearing-in on May 7 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/mk-stalin-appointed-tamil-nadu-cm-swearing-in-on-may-7/article34491656.ece |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>'''<br /><small>(born 1953)</small>
|7 May 2021
|Incumbent
!'''{{age in years and days|2021|05|07}}'''
|[[M. K. Stalin ministry|Stalin]]
|[[Kolathur Assembly constituency|Kolathur]]
|16th<br />[[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|{{small|(2021)}}]]
|}

===List of deputy chief ministers===
====Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu====
{{further|List of deputy chief ministers of Tamil Nadu}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |No.
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! colspan="3" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Term in office
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|{{white|Assembly}}]]<br />{{small|([[Elections in Tamil Nadu|{{white|Election}}]])}}
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Elected constituency
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |[[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|{{white|Chief Minister}}]]
|-
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Assumed office
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Left office
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Time in office
|-
!1
|[[File:The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg|100px]]
|'''[[M. K. Stalin]]'''<br /><small>(1953–)</small>
|29 May 2009
|15 May 2011
|1 year, 351 days
|[[13th Tamil Nadu Assembly|13th]]<br />{{small|([[2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2006]])}}
|[[Thousand Lights Assembly constituency|Thousand Lights]]
|[[File:M. Karunanidhi .jpg|50px]]<br />[[M. Karunanidhi]]
|-
!2
|[[File:Udhaya.jpg|100px]]
|'''[[Udhayanidhi Stalin]]'''<br /><small>(1977–)</small>
|28 September 2024
|''Incumbent''
|{{age in years and days|2024|09|28}}
|[[16th Tamil Nadu Assembly|16th]]<br />{{small|([[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2021]])}}
|[[Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency|Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni]]
|[[File:The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg|50px]]<br />[[M. K. Stalin]]
|}

===Chief Ministers of Puducherry===
{{further|List of chief ministers of Puducherry}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" |No.
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"| Name
<small>{{nowrap|(Birth–Death)}}</small>
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|<small>Elected constituency</small>
! colspan="3" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Term of office
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|[[Puducherry Legislative Assembly|{{black|(Assembly)}}]]<br />{{small|([[Elections in Puducherry|{{black|Election}}]])}}
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Appointed by<br><small>[[List of lieutenant governors of Puducherry|{{black|(Lieutenant<br>Governor)}}]]</small>
|-
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" |Assumed office
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" |Left office
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" |<small>Time in office</small>
|-
! 1
| [[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
| '''[[M. O. H. Farook]]'''<br /><small>(1937–2012)</small>
| [[Kalapet Assembly constituency|Kalapet]]
| 17 March 1969
| 2 January 1974
! 4 years, 291 days
| 3rd<br />{{small|([[1969 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1969 <br>election]])}}
| [[B. D. Jatti]]
|-
! 2
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
| rowspan="2"|'''[[M. D. R. Ramachandran]]'''<br /><small>(Unknown)</small>
| rowspan="2"|[[Mannadipet Assembly constituency|Mannadipet]]
| 16 January 1980
| 23 June 1983
!3 years, 158 days
| 6th<br />{{small|([[1980 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1980 <br>election]])}}
| [[Bidesh Tukaram Kulkarni|B. T. Kulkarni]]
|-
! 3
| 8 March 1990
| 2 March 1991
! 359 days
| 8th<br />{{small|([[1990 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1990 <br>election]])}}
| [[Chandrawati]]
|-
! 4
| [[File:R.V.Janakiraman2 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| '''[[R. V. Janakiraman]]'''<br /><small>(1941–2019)</small>
| [[Nellithope Assembly constituency|Nellithope]]
| 26 May 1996
| 21 March 2000
! 3 years, 300 days
| rowspan = "2" | 10th<br />{{small|([[1996 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election|1996<br>election]])}}
| [[Rajendra Kumari Bajpai]]
|-
|}

== List of Leaders of the Opposition ==
=== Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly ===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" |No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Name
<small>{{nowrap|(Birth–Death)}}</small>
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|<small>Elected constituency</small>
!colspan=3 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Term of office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|{{black|[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Assembly]]}}<br /><small>{{black|([[Elections in Tamil Nadu|Election]])}}</small>
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Appointed by<br>{{black|([[List of speakers of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Speaker]])}}
|-
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|<small>Time in office</small>
|-
!rowspan=2|1
|rowspan=2|[[File:M. Karunanidhi .jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=2|'''[[M. Karunanidhi]]'''<br /><small>(1924–2018)</small>
|rowspan=2|[[Anna Nagar Assembly constituency|Anna Nagar]]
|25 July 1977
|17 February 1980
!rowspan=2|5 years, 259 days
|6th<br />{{small|([[1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1977]])}}
|[[Munu Adhi]]
|-
|27 June 1980
|18 August 1983
|7th<br />{{small|([[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]])}}
|[[K. Rajaram]]
|-
!2
|[[File:Anbazhagan2006.jpg|100px]]
|'''[[K. Anbazhagan]]'''<br /><small>(1922–2020)</small>
|[[Harbour Assembly constituency|Harbour]]
|24 May 2001
|14 April 2006
!4 years, 325 days
|[[12th Tamil Nadu Assembly|12th]]<br />{{small|([[2001 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2001]])}}
|[[K. Kalimuthu]]
|-
!3
|[[File:The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg|100px]]
|'''[[M. K. Stalin]]'''<br /><small>(born 1953)</small>
|[[Kolathur Assembly constituency|Kolathur]]
|4 June 2016
|3 May 2021
!4 years, 333 days
|[[15th Tamil Nadu Assembly|15th]]<br />{{small|([[2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2016]])}}
|[[P. Dhanapal]]
|}

=== Pondicherry/Puducherry Legislative Assembly ===

{|class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |No.
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" | Name
<small>{{nowrap|(Birth–Death)}}</small>
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white" |<small>Elected constituency</small>
! colspan="3" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white|Term of office
! rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|[[Puducherry Legislative Assembly|{{black|Assembly}}]]<br />{{small|([[Elections in Puducherry|{{black|(election)}}]])}}
|-
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"| Assumed office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"| Left office
!style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"| Time in office
|-
!rowspan=2| 1
|rowspan=2| [[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|rowspan=2| [[R.V. Janakiraman]]
|rowspan=2| [[Nellithope Assembly constituency|Nellithope]]
| 22 March 2000
| 15 May 2001
|'''{{ayd|2000|3|22|2001|5|15}}'''
| |  10th<br />{{small|(1996 election)}}
|-
| 16 May 2001
| 11 May 2006
| '''{{ayd|2001|5|16|2006|5|11}}'''
|  11th<br />{{small|(2001 election)}}
|-
! 2
| [[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|   [[A. M. H. Nazeem]]
|   Karaikal
| 29 May 2006
| May 2011
| '''{{ayd|2006|5|29|2011|5|29}}'''
| 12th<br />{{small|(2006 election)}}
|-
! 3
| [[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|  [[R. Siva]]
|   [[Villianur Assembly constituency|Villianur]]
| 8 May 2021<ref>{{cite news |title=Four-time MLA R Siva appointed leader of DMK legislature party in Puducherry|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/08/four-time-mla-r-siva-appointed-leader-of-dmk-legislature-party-in-puducherry-2300076.html |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date= 8 May 2021 |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref>
| ''Incumbent''
| '''{{ayd|2021|5|8}}'''
| [[15th Puducherry Assembly|15th]]<br />{{small|([[2021 Puducherry Legislative Assembly election|2021 election]])}}
|-
|}

=== Madras State Legislative Assembly ===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Leader of the Opposition
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Term Start
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Term End
! style="background-color:#FF0D0D;color:white"|Duration
|-
| '''[[V. R. Nedunchezhiyan]]''' || 29 March 1962 || 28 February 1967 || '''{{ayd|1962|3|28|1967|2|28}}'''
|}

== List of Speakers & Deputy Speakers of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|No.
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Name
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Deputy<br>Speaker
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Took<br> office
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Left<br> office
! style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white"|Duration
|-
! rowspan =2| 1
| rowspan =2| [[Pulavar K. Govindan]]
| [[G. R. Edmund]]
| 22 February<br>1969
| 14 March<br> 1971
! '''{{ayd|1969|2|22|1971|3|14}}'''
|-
| [[N. Ganapathy (Thanjavur)|N. Ganapathy]]
| 3 August<br> 1973
| 3 July<br> 1977
! '''{{ayd|1973|8|3|1977|7|3}}'''
|-
! 2
| [[K. A. Mathiazagan]]
| [[P. Seenivasan]]
| 24 March<br> 1971
| 2 December<br> 1972
!'''{{ayd|1971|3|24|1972|12|2}}'''
|-
! ''Acting''
| colspan="2"|[[P. Seenivasan]]<br> ''(Acting Speaker)''
| 2 December<br> 1972
| 3 August<br> 1973
! '''{{ayd|1972|2|12|1973|8|3}}'''
|-
! 3
| [[M. Tamilkudimagan]]
| [[V. P. Duraisamy]]
| 8 February<br> 1989
| 30 June<br> 1991
!'''{{ayd|1989|2|8|1991|7|30}}'''
|-
! 4
| [[P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan]]
| [[Parithi Ilamvazhuthi]]
| 23 May<br> 1996
| 21 May<br> 2001
!'''{{ayd|1996|5|23|2001|5|21}}'''
|-
! 5
| [[R. Avudaiappan]]
| [[V. P. Duraisamy]]
| 19 May<br> 2006
| 15 May<br> 2011
!'''{{ayd|2006|5|19|2011|5|15}}'''
|-
! 6
|[[M. Appavu]]
|[[K. Pitchandi]]
|12 May<br> 2021
|''Incumbent''
!'''{{ayd|2021|5|12}}'''
|-
|}

==List of union cabinet ministers==
===V. P. Singh ministry (1989–90)===
{{further|V. P. Singh ministry}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" | #
!rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" | Portrait
!rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white; width:18em" | Minister<br>{{small|(Birth-Death)<br>Constituency}}
!colspan="3" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" | Term of office
!rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white; width:8em" | Portfolio
!rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white" | Ministry
!rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white; width:9em" | Prime Minister
|-
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white; width:7em" | From
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white; width:7em" | To
!style="background-color:{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}; color:white; width:6em" | Period
|-
!1
|bgcolor="{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}" |
|[[File:Murasoli Maran 2004 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Murasoli Maran]]'''<br>{{small|(1934–2003)<br>MP for [[Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai South]]}}
|<small>2 December</small><br>1989
|<small>10 November</small><br>1990
|'''343 days'''
|'''[[Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs|Minister of Urban Development]]'''
|style="background:#4C915F" | '''[[V. P. Singh ministry|{{black|Vishwanath}}]]'''
|[[V. P. Singh]]
|}

===H.D Devegowda Ministry (1996{{ndash}}97)===
{{further|Deve Gowda ministry}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portfolio
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Constituency<br />{{small|(House)}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|[[Prime Minister of India|{{white|Prime Minister}}]]
|-
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!1
|[[File:Murasoli Maran 2004 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Industry]]</small>'''
|'''[[Murasoli Maran]]'''<br /><small>(1934–2003)</small>
|<small>1 June</small><br> 1996
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
!'''{{ayd|1996|6|1|1997|4|21}}'''
|[[Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai Central]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|rowspan=4|[[H. D. Deve Gowda]]
|rowspan=4 {{party color cell|Janata Dal (Secular)}}
|-
!2
|[[File:Blank.svg|70px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|'''<small>[[Minister of Road Transport and Highways|Minister of Surface Transport]]</small>'''
|'''[[T. G. Venkatraman]]'''<br /><small>(1931–2013)</small>
|<small>1 June</small><br> 1996
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
!'''{{ayd|1996|6|1|1997|4|21}}'''
|[[Tindivanam Lok Sabha constituency|Tindivanam]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!3
|[[File:Blank.svg|70px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[N. V. N. Somu]]'''<br /><small>(–)</small>
|<small>6 July</small><br> 1996
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
!'''{{ayd|1996|7|6|1997|4|21}}'''
|[[Chennai North Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai North]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!4
|[[File:T R Baalu at his Book Release 2024.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[T. R. Baalu]]'''<br /><small>(born 1941)</small>
|<small>6 July</small><br> 1996
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
!'''{{ayd|1996|7|6|1997|4|21}}'''
|[[Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai South]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|}

===I.K Gujral Ministry (1997{{ndash}}98)===
{{further|Gujral ministry}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portfolio
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Constituency<br />{{small|(House)}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|[[Prime Minister of India|{{white|Prime Minister}}]]
|-
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!1
|[[File:Murasoli Maran 2004 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Industry]]</small>'''
|'''[[Murasoli Maran]]'''<br /><small>(1934–2003)</small>
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
|<small>19 March</small><br>1998
!'''{{ayd|1997|4|21|1998|3|19}}'''
|[[Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai Central]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|rowspan=6|[[I. K. Gujral]]
|rowspan=6 {{party color cell|Janata Dal (Secular)}}
|-
!rowspan="2"|2
|rowspan="2"|[[File:Blank.svg|70px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|'''<small>[[Minister of Road Transport and Highways|Minister of Surface Transport]]</small>'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[T. G. Venkatraman]]'''<br /><small>(1931–2013)</small>
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
|<small>19 March</small><br>1998
!'''{{ayd|1997|4|21|1998|3|19}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Tindivanam Lok Sabha constituency|Tindivanam]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|'''<small>[[Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs|Minister of Urban Affairs & Employment]]</small>'''
|<small>14 November</small><br>1997
|<small>12 December</small><br>1997
!'''{{ayd|1997|11|14|1997|12|12}}'''
|-
!rowspan="2"|3
|rowspan="2"|[[File:T R Baalu at his Book Release 2024.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[T. R. Baalu]]'''<br /><small>(born 1941)</small>
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
|<small>19 March</small><br>1998
!'''{{ayd|1997|4|21|1998|3|19}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai South]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|'''<small>[[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|Minister of Non-Conventional Energy Sources]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|<small>11 January</small><br>1998
|<small>19 March</small><br>1998
!'''{{ayd|1998|1|11|1998|3|19}}'''
|-
!4
|[[File:Blank.svg|70px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[N. V. N. Somu]]'''<br /><small>(–)</small>
|<small>21 April</small><br>1997
|<small>14 November</small><br>1997<br /><small>''(died in office)''</small>
!'''{{ayd|1997|4|21|1997|11|14}}'''
|[[Chennai North Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai North]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|}

===Third Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ministry (1999{{ndash}}2004)===
{{further|Third Vajpayee ministry}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portfolio
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Constituency<br />{{small|(House)}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|[[Prime Minister of India|{{white|Prime Minister}}]]
|-
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!rowspan="2"|1
|rowspan="2"|[[File:Murasoli Maran 2004 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Commerce & Industry]]</small>'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Murasoli Maran]]'''<br /><small>(1934–2003)</small>
|<small>13 October</small><br>1999
|<small>9 November</small><br>2002
!'''3 years, 27 days'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai Central]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|rowspan=6|[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
|rowspan=6 {{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|-
|'''<small>[[Third Vajpayee ministry|Minister without portfolio]]</small>'''
|<small>9 November</small><br>2002
|<small>23 November</small><br>2003
!'''{{ayd|2002|11|9|2003|11|23}}'''
|-
!2
|[[File:T R Baalu at his Book Release 2024.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change|Minister of Environment & Forests]]</small>'''
|'''[[T. R. Baalu]]'''<br /><small>(born 1941)</small>
|<small>13 October</small><br>1999
|<small>21 December</small><br>2003
!'''{{ayd|1999|10|13|2003|12|21}}'''
|[[Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai South]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!rowspan="2"|3
|rowspan="2"|[[File:A still of the Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Shri A. Raja during a meeting of Chief Wildlife Wardens and Field Directors of Project Tiger Reserves, in New Delhi on May 26, 2005.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Minister of Rural Development]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[A. Raja]]'''<br /><small>(born 1963)</small>
|<small>13 October</small><br>1999
|<small>30 September</small><br>2001
!'''{{ayd|1999|10|13|2001|9|30}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Perambalur Lok Sabha constituency|Perambalur]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Minister of Health & Family Welfare]]</small>'''<br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|<small>30 September</small><br>2000
|<small>21 December</small><br>2003
!'''{{ayd|2000|9|30|2003|12|21}}'''
|-
|}

===First Manmohan Singh Ministry (2004{{ndash}}2009)===
{{further|First Manmohan Singh ministry}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portfolio
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Constituency<br />{{small|(House)}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|[[Prime Minister of India|{{white|Prime Minister}}]]
|-
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!rowspan="2"|1
|rowspan="2"|[[File:A still of the Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Shri A. Raja during a meeting of Chief Wildlife Wardens and Field Directors of Project Tiger Reserves, in New Delhi on May 26, 2005.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change|Minister of Environment and Forests]]</small>'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[A. Raja]]'''<br /><small>(born 1963)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>15 May</small><br>2007
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2007|5|15}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Perambalur Lok Sabha constituency|Perambalur]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|rowspan=12|[[Manmohan Singh]]
|rowspan=12 {{party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|-
|'''<small>[[Minister of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications & Information Technology]]</small>'''
|<small>15 May</small><br>2007
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!'''{{ayd|2007|5|15|2009|5|22}}'''
|-
!2
|[[File:Dayanidhi Maran.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Minister of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications & Information Technology]]</small>'''
|'''[[Dayanidhi Maran]]'''<br /><small>(born 1966)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>15 May</small><br>2007
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2007|5|15}}'''
|[[Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai Central]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!rowspan="2"|3
|rowspan="2"|[[File:T R Baalu at his Book Release 2024.jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Minister of Road Transport and Highways]]</small>'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[T. R. Baalu]]'''<br /><small>(born 1941)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2009|5|22}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai South]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways|Minister of Shipping]]</small>'''
|<small>25 May</small><br> 2004
|<small>2 September</small><br>2004{{efn|The ministry's competences were transferred to the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways]] in September 2004.}}
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|25|2004|9|2}}'''
|-
!4
|[[File:Blank.svg|70px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Minister of Law and Justice]]</small>'''<br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[K. Venkatapathy]]'''<br /><small>(born 1946)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!|'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2009|5|22}}'''
|[[Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency|Cuddalore]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!rowspan="2"|5
|rowspan="2"|[[File:S. Regupathy in 2004 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]]</small>'''<br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[S. Regupathy]]'''<br /><small>(born 1950)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>15 May</small><br>2007
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2007|5|15}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Pudukkottai Lok Sabha constituency|Pudukkottai]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change|Minister of Environment and Forests]]</small>'''<br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|<small>15 May</small><br>2007
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!'''{{ayd|2007|5|15|2009|5|22}}'''
|-
!rowspan="2"|6
|rowspan="2"|[[File:S. S. Palanimanickam (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Commerce and Industry]]</small>'''<br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[S. S. Palanimanickam]]'''<br /><small>(born 1950)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>25 May</small><br> 2004
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2004|5|25}}'''
|rowspan="2"|[[Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency|Thanjavur]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|'''<small>[[Minister of Finance (India)|Minister of Finance]]</small>'''<br><small>(Revenue, from 29 January 2006)</small><br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|<small>25 May</small><br> 2004
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|25|2009|5|22}}'''
|-
!7
|[[File:Subbalakshmi Jagadeesan (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]]</small>'''<br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan]]'''<br /><small>(born 1947)</small>
|<small>23 May</small><br>2004
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!'''{{ayd|2004|5|23|2009|5|22}}'''
|[[Tiruchengode Lok Sabha constituency|Tiruchengode]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!8
|[[File:V. Radhika Selvi (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''<small>[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]]</small>'''<br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[V. Radhika Selvi]]'''<br /><small>(born 1976)</small>
|<small>18 May</small><br>2007
|<small>22 May</small><br>2009
!'''{{ayd|2007|5|18|2009|5|22}}'''
|[[Tiruchendur Lok Sabha constituency|Tiruchendur]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|}

===Second Manmohan Singh Ministry (2009{{ndash}}2014)===
{{further|Second Manmohan Singh ministry}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|No.
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portrait
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Portfolio
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
!colspan=3 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Term in office
!rowspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Constituency<br />{{small|(House)}}
!rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|[[Prime Minister of India|{{white|Prime Minister}}]]
|-
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Assumed office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Left office
!style="background-color:#ff0000;color:white"|Time in office
|-
!1
|[[File:A still of the Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Shri A. Raja during a meeting of Chief Wildlife Wardens and Field Directors of Project Tiger Reserves, in New Delhi on May 26, 2005.jpg|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Minister of Communications (India)|Minister of Communications & Information Technology]]'''</small>
|'''[[A. Raja]]'''<br /><small>(born 1963)</small>
|<small>28 May</small><br>2009
|<small>15 November</small><br>2010<br><ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-11-15 |title=Telecom Minister A Raja resigns; PM to keep charge of Telecom ministry |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/telecom-minister-a-raja-resigns-pm-to-keep-charge-of-telecom-ministry/articleshow/6926778.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-15 |title=Raja resigns over 2G spectrum issue |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/telecom/story/raja-resigns-over-2g-spectrum-issue-15096-2010-11-15 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-02-02 |title=CBI arrests former Telecom Minister A. Raja |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/CBI-arrests-former-Telecom-Minister-A.-Raja/article15126071.ece |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
!'''{{ayd|2009|5|28|2010|11|15}}'''
|[[Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency|Nilgiris]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|rowspan=9|[[Manmohan Singh]]
|rowspan=9 {{party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|-
!2
|[[File:Dayanidhi Maran.jpg|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Ministry of Textiles|Minister of Textiles]]'''</small>
|'''[[Dayanidhi Maran]]'''<br /><small>(born 1966)</small>
|<small>28 May</small><br>2009
|<small>12 July</small><br>2011<br><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-07 |title=Dayanidhi Maran resigns from Cabinet |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/dayanidhi-maran-resigns-from-cabinet/article20303877.ece1 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-07-08 |title=Dayanidhi Maran resigns from Union Cabinet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dayanidhi-maran-resigns-from-union-cabinet/articleshow/9143074.cms |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
!'''{{ayd|2009|5|28|2011|7|12}}'''
|[[Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai Central]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!3
|[[File:MKAlagiri.jpg|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers|Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers]]'''</small>
|'''[[M. K. Alagiri]]'''<br /><small>(born 1951)</small>
|rowspan="4"|<small>28 May</small><br>2009
|rowspan="4"|<small>21 March</small><br>2013<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-01-07 |title=Karunanidhi denies reports on Alagiri's resignation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Karunanidhi-denies-reports-on-Alagiris-resignation/article15510351.ece |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
!rowspan="4"|'''{{ayd|2009|5|28|2013|3|21}}'''
|[[Madurai Lok Sabha constituency|Madurai]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!4
|[[File:Nepoleon Duraisamy.png|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment]]'''</small><br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''[[Napoleon (actor)|D. Napoleon]]'''<br /><small>(born 1963)</small>
|[[Perambalur Lok Sabha constituency|Perambalur]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!5
|[[File:S. Gandhiselvan (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare|Minister of Health & Family Welfare]]'''</small><br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''<small>[[S. Gandhiselvan]]</small>'''<br /><small>(born 1963)</small>
|[[Namakkal Lok Sabha constituency|Namakkal]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!6
|[[File:S. S. Palanimanickam (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Minister of Finance (India)|Minister of Finance]]'''</small><br><small>(Revenue)</small><br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|'''<small>[[S. S. Palanimanickam]]</small>'''<br /><small>(born 1950)</small>
|[[Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency|Thanjavur]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
!rowspan="3"|7
|rowspan="3"|[[File:S. Jagathrakshakan (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|<small>'''[[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Minister of Information & Broadcasting]]'''</small><br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|rowspan="3"|'''<small>[[S. Jagathrakshakan]]</small>'''<br /><small>(born 1950)</small>
|<small>28 May</small><br>2009
|<small>28 October</small><br>2012
!'''{{ayd|2009|5|28|2012|10|28}}'''
|rowspan="3"|[[Arakkonam Lok Sabha constituency|Arakkonam]]<br /><small>([[Lok Sabha]])</small>
|-
|<small>'''[[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|Minister of New & Renewable Energy]]'''</small><br>'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|<small>28 October</small><br>2012
|<small>2 November</small><br>2012
!'''{{ayd|2012|10|28|2012|11|2}}'''
|-
|<small>'''[[Ministry of Commerce & Industry (India)|Minister of Commerce & Industry]]'''</small><br />'''({{abbr|MoS|Minister of State}})'''
|<small>2 November</small><br>2012
|<small>21 March</small><br>2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=5 DMK ministers quit, PM accepts their resignations |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/5-dmk-ministers-quit-pm-accepts-their-resignations/articleshow/19097333.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=The Economic Times | date=20 March 2013 |language=en}}</ref>
!'''{{ayd|2012|11|2|2013|3|21}}'''
|}

==List of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha==
{{further|Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Portrait
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Name<br><small>(Birth–Death)</small>
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Elected constituency
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Lok Sabha<br><small>(Election)</small>
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Speaker
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Assumed office
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Left office
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Time in office
! style="background-color:#FF0000; color:white;" | Prime Minister
|-
| [[File:Blank.svg|100px]]<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
| '''[[G. Lakshmanan]]'''<br><small>(1924–2001)</small>
| [[Chennai North Lok Sabha constituency|Chennai North]]
| [[7th Lok Sabha|7th]]<br><small>[[1980 Indian general election|(1980)]]</small>
| '''[[Balram Jakhar]]'''<br><small>[[Indian National Congress|(INC)]]</small>
| 1 December 1980
| 31 December 1984
! 4 years, 30 days
| '''[[Indira Gandhi]]'''
|}

== Splits and offshoots ==
There are two major parties that have been formed as a result of splits from the DMK, which are
* [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK), founded on 17 October 1972 by the former [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]] [[M. G. Ramachandran]] (M.G.R.).
* [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK), founded on 6 May 1994 by [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]] [[Vaiko]].

=== Political lineage and offsprings of DMK ===
{{DP-genealogy}}

== Media ==
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| caption_align     = center
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| image1            = Kanimozhi Karunanidhi 01.jpg
| caption1          = '''Tmt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi'''<br />Deputy General Secretary of the party
}}

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party runs two newspapers: an English weekly named ''The Rising Sun'' and a Tamil daily named ''[[Murasoli (India)|Murasoli]]''.<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 TV channel group started on 15 September 2007 and managed by [[Kanimozhi Karunanidhi]] and Dayalu Ammal, the daughter and wife of Karunanidhi. The group has multiple sister channels: Kalaignar Isai Aruvi (24×7 Tamil music channel), Kalaignar Seithigal (24×7 Tamil news channel), Kalaignar Sirippoli (24×7 Tamil comedy channel), Kalaignar Chithiram (24×7 Tamil cartoon channel), Kalaignar Murasu(24×7 Tamil movie channel) and Kalaignar Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kalaignartv.co.in/|title=Kalaignar Channel|publisher=Kalaignar Channel|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Politics of Tamil Nadu]]
* [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
* [[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]]
* [[Politics of India]]
* [[List of political parties in India]]
* [[Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

===Publications===
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahuja |first=M. L. |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}}
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==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dravidian-Progressive-Federation Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam] — entry at ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''

{{Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}
{{Dravidian politics}}
{{Indian political parties}}
{{United Progressive Alliance}}
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[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam| ]]
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