# Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil pronunciation:; transl. Dravidian Progressive Federation; abbr. DMK) is an Indian political party based in the state of Tamil Nadu, where it is currently the ruling party, and the union territory of Puducherry, where it is currently the main opposition.
The DMK was founded on 17 September 1949 by C. N. Annadurai (Anna) as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar. DMK was headed by Annadurai as the general secretary from 1949 until his death on 4 February 1969. He also served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 1967 to 1969. Under Annadurai, in 1967, DMK became the first party, other than the Indian National Congress, to win the state-level elections with a clear majority on its own in any state in India. M. Karunanidhi (Kalaignar) followed Annadurai as the first president of the party from 1969 until his death on 7 August 2018. He also served as the Chief Minister for five non-consecutive terms, in two of which he was dismissed by the Union government. 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 state from May 2021.
DMK is the fifth-largest party in the Lok Sabha. It currently holds 125 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance holds 159 out of 234.

## History
### Origins and foundation

The DMK traces its roots to the South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party) founded by Dr. 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. The Justice Party, whose objectives included social equality and justice, came to power in the first general elections to the Madras Presidency in 1920. Communal division between Brahmins and non-Brahmins began in the presidency during the late-19th and early-20th century, mainly due to 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.
Periyar, a popular reformist leader at that time, had joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, to oppose what he considered the Brahminic leadership of the party. Periyar's participation at the Vaikom Satyagraha led him to start the Self-Respect Movement in 1926 which was rationalistic and "anti-Brahministic". He quit Congress and in 1935 he joined the Justice Party.
In the 1937 elections, the Justice Party lost and the Indian National Congress under C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) came to power in Madras Presidency. Rajaji's introduction of Hindi as a compulsory subject in schools led to the anti-Hindi agitations, led by Periyar and his associates.
In August 1944, Periyar created the 'Dravidar Kazhagam' out of the Justice Party and the Self-Respect Movement at the Salem Provincial Conference. 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.
The party at its inception retained the flag of the South Indian Liberal Federation, which had a picture of a traditional type of balance signifying the idea of equality. Its central theme was to remove the degraded status imposed on Dravidians. To communicate this, the party adopted a black flag with a red circle inside it, with the black signifying their degradation and the red denoting the intention of the movement to uplift Dravidians.
Over the years, many disagreements arose between Periyar and his followers. In 1949, several of his followers led by C. N. Annadurai decided to split from Dravidar Kazhagam, after Annadurai and part of the members decided to take part in electoral politics and Periyar had strong objection on it.
The Dravidian philosophy culminated both politically and socially with DMK at the helm of administration. It was the first-ever subaltern movement in the history of sub-continent politics to have political representation from former lower-castes, and it was a marked move from generations of civic administrators from the upper-caste citizenry. This had a deep societal impact which resulted in increased political participation, which aided the representation of the emergent strata, enriched civic life, and subsequently strengthened the pluralist democracy.

### C. N. Annadurai era (1949–1969)

The DMK's first foray into electoral politics, in the 1957 legislative assembly elections, was mixed. While it won 15 seats, many prominent leaders such as Annadurai and V. R. Nedunchezhiyan were defeated. It fared somewhat better in 1962, winning 50 seats and becoming the main opposition.

#### Anti-Hindi Imposition agitations

The DMK, which split from the Dravidar Kazhagam in 1949, inherited the anti-Hindi imposition policies of its parent organization. Founder C.N. Annadurai had earlier participated in the anti-Hindi imposition agitations during 1938–40 and throughout the 1940s.
In July 1953, the DMK launched an agitation against the Union government's proposed name-change of Kallakudi to Dalmiapuram. They claimed that the town's proposed new name (after Ramkrishna Dalmia) symbolized the exploitation of South India by the North. On 15 July, M. Karunanidhi (later Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) and other DMK members removed the Hindi name from Dalmiapuram railway station's name board and protested on the tracks. In the altercation with the police that followed the protests, two DMK members lost their lives, and several others, including Karunanidhi and Kannadasan, were arrested.
The DMK continued its anti-Hindi Imposition policies throughout the 1950s, along with the secessionist demand for Dravida Nadu, in which it was originally more radical than the Dravida Kazhagam. 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. 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".
On 31 July 1960, another open-air anti-Hindi conference was held in Kodambakkam, Madras. In November 1963, DMK dropped its secessionist demand in the wake of the Sino-Indian War and the passage of the anti-secessionist 16th Amendment to the Indian Constitution. However, the anti-Hindi stance remained and hardened with the passage of Official Languages Act of 1963. 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."

#### Formation of state government

In 1967, 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 (namely, the DMK) won a majority. The electoral victory of 1967 is also reputed to be an electoral fusion among the non-Congress parties to avoid a split in the Opposition votes. 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. At that time, his cabinet was the youngest in the country.

#### Other achievements

Annadurai legalized self-respect marriages for the first time in the country. Such marriages did not involve priests presiding over the ceremonies, and thus a Brahmin was not needed to carry out the wedding. Self-respect marriages were a brainchild of Periyar, who regarded the then conventional marriages as mere financial arrangements which often led to great debt through dowry. Self-respect marriages, according to him, encouraged inter-caste marriages and caused arranged marriages to be replaced by love marriages.
Annadurai was also the first to promise to subsidize the price of rice in order to campaign for his election. He promised one rupee a measure of rice, which he initially implemented once in government, but had to withdraw later. Subsidizing rice costs are still used as an election promise in Tamil Nadu.
It was Annadurai's government that renamed Madras State to Tamil Nadu, its present-day name. The name change itself was first presented in the upper house (Rajya Sabha) of the Parliament of India by Bhupesh Gupta, a communist MP from West Bengal, but was then defeated. With Annadurai as chief minister, the state assembly succeeded in passing the bill renaming the state. Another major achievement of Annadurai's government was to introduce a two-language policy over the then popular three language formula. The three-language formula, which was implemented in the neighboring states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, entitled students to study three languages: the regional language, English and Hindi.

### M. Karunanidhi era (1969–2018)

In 1969, Annadurai unexpectedly died. M.Karunanidhi was elected as his successor, defeating rival candidate V. R. Nedunchezhiyan. Karunanidhi would continue to head the DMK until his own death in 2018.
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. where he was a treasurer, and he was eventually suspended from the General Council by the high-power committee of DMK. He then created the new party named All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Indira Gandhi dismissed the Karunanidhi government in 1976 based on charges of possible secession and corruption. The DMK government has been indicted by the Sarkaria commission for corruption in allotting tenders for the Veeranam drainage project.
The interim report of the Justice Jain Commission, which oversaw the investigation into Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, indicted Karunanidhi for abetting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). 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.
Karunanidhi's nephew, Murasoli Maran, was a Union Minister; however, it has been pointed out that he was in politics long before Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister in 1969. Many political opponents and DMK party senior leaders have been critical of the rise of M. K. Stalin in the party. He was appointed as Mayor and later as Deputy CM of TN. But some of the party men have pointed out that Stalin has come up on his own. Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi has been appointed as the Rajya Sabha MP twice in 2007 and 2013. Karunanidhi's nephew's son Dayanidhi Maran has been appointed as the central Minister. Karunanidhi's grandson, son of Stalin Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been elected as the MLA of TN assembly. Karunanidhi has been accused of helping Murasoli Maran's son Kalanithi Maran, who runs Sun TV Network, India's second largest television network. According to Forbes, Kalanidhi is among India's richest 20, with $2.9 billion. It has been pointed out that Karunanidhi has hesitated to take action against his erring family members. Karunanidhi is also accused of allowing Azhagiri to function as an extraconstitutional authority in Madurai. The Dinakaran newspaper case was handed over to the CBI. But the District and Sessions court acquitted all the 17 accused in that case.

#### Elections under Karunanidhi's presidency

* In 1977, DMK lost the Assembly elections to M.G.R.'s AIADMK, and stayed out of power in the state until 1989. After MGR's death in December 1987, AIADMK split into two factions between Janaki (MGR's wife) and Jayalalithaa. DMK returned to power in the 1989 State assembly elections and for the 3rd time, Karunanidhi took over as the chief minister in January 1989.
* The 1991 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 killed by a suicide bomber during the election campaign, and due to DMK's pro-Tamil stance and the dismissal of the state government mid-campaign by Rajiv, attitudes were against DMK and instead in favor of the AIADMK–Congress alliance, causing the DMK to be deprived of any seats in the Parliament.
* In the 1996 state elections, DMK came to power on strength of corruption charges against J.Jayalalithaa and the alliance with Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), headed by G.K. Moopanar.
* However, in 2001, the AIADMK, on strength of a strong alliance and the incumbency factor against DMK, came back to power in the state assembly elections.
* In the 2004 general election, DMK formed an alliance with Congress, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and swept a grand victory. The alliance won all 40 seats including Puducherry. This enabled DMK to hold 7 ministerial posts in the central government and gave influential power to DMK.
* Two years later in 2006, the same alliance won in the state assembly elections and the DMK, for the first time, formed a minority government in the state with help from Congress. M Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister of the state for the fifth time. The DMK-Congress alliance was also successful in the 2009 general elections.
* In the 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 general election, DMK failed to win any seats; however, by vote percentage, it was second only to AIADMK.
* The 2016 state assembly elections gave DMK 89 MLAs. This was the most number for an opposition party in the history of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.

### M. K. Stalin era (2018–present)

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. On 3 February 2020, M. K. Stalin announced that Prashant Kishor was signed up as a party strategist for the upcoming 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
On 25 March 2018, the DMK held a statewide conference in Erode and M. K. Stalin released five slogans at the conference. They were:
* 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
M.K. Stalin formed the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu and led the alliance in the 2019 general election. M.K. Stalin and his alliance in Tamil Nadu won 39 out of 40 seats in the parliament and 12 out of 21 in the Assembly with a 52% vote share. The DMK-led alliance won the 2019 Tamil Nadu local body elections under the Secular Progressive alliance.
The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance won the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. The alliance won 159 seats out of 234 seats with 46% vote share.

## Party ideology

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.

### Dravidian nationalism

The anti-Hindi Imposition agitations of 1965 forced the central government to abandon its efforts to use Hindi as the only official language of the country.

### State autonomy

After 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 Trichy after the death of C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi announced the adoption of the "state autonomy" principle to advocate for state self-governance. In April 1974, the DMK government brought in a resolution in the House urging the centre to accept the Rajamannar Committee recommendations on state autonomy and amend the Constitution of India to pave the way for a truly federal system.

### Social justice

DMK claims they are the successors of Justice Party. DMK played a crucial role alongside Periyar in the protest for the first constitutional amendment ensuring the provision legalizing OBC reservation. DMK's one of the core ideology is OBC welfare and has implemented reservation related policies in favour of OBCs and SCs.
DMK reconstituted the disabled persons welfare board to Differently Abled Persons Departments and the changed official terms for transgender individuals to more respectful terms like Thirunangai and Thirunambi.

## Party symbol

The party's election symbol is the "sun rising from between two mountains", with a black and red flag often pictured. The symbol was inspired by the leader and scriptwriter M. Karunanidhi's 1950s play Udaya Suryan and is intended to signify the "rising" spirit of the Dravidian people.
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.

## Electoral history
### Lok Sabha Elections

| Year | Party leader | Seats won | Change in seats | Percentage of votes | Popular vote | Outcome |
| 1962 | C. N. Annadurai | 7 / 41 | 5 | 18.64% | 2,315,610 | Opposition |
| 1967 | C. N. Annadurai | 25 / 25 | 18 | 51.79% | 7,996,264 | Opposition |
| 1971 | M. Karunanidhi | 23 / 23 | 2 | 55.61% | 8,869,095 | Government |
| 1977 | M. Karunanidhi | 1 / 19 | 22 | 37.84% | 6,758,517 | Opposition |
| 1980 | M. Karunanidhi | 16 / 16 | 15 | 55.89% | 10,290,515 | Government |
| 1984 | M. Karunanidhi | 2 / 28 | 14 | 37.04% | 8,006,513 | Opposition |
| 1989 | M. Karunanidhi | 0 / 32 | 2 | 33.78% | 8,918,905 | Lost |
| 1991 | M. Karunanidhi | 0 / 29 | | 27.64% | 6,823,581 | Lost |
| 1996 | M. Karunanidhi | 17 / 18 | 17 | 54.96% | 14,940,474 | Government |
| 1998 | M. Karunanidhi | 6 / 18 | 11 | 42.72% | 10,937,809 | Opposition |
| 1999 | M. Karunanidhi | 12 / 18 | 6 | 46.41% | 12,638,602 | Government |
| 2004 | M. Karunanidhi | 16 / 16 | 4 | 57.40% | 16,483,390 | Government |
| 2009 | M. Karunanidhi | 18 / 21 | 2 | 42.54% | 12,929,043 | Government |
| 2014 | M. Karunanidhi | 0 / 34 | 18 | 23.16% | 10,243,767 | Lost |
| 2019 | M. K. Stalin | 24 / 24 | 24 | 32.76% | 14,363,332 | Opposition |
| 2024 | M. K. Stalin | 22 / 22 | 2 | 26.93% | 11,689,879 | Opposition |

### Legislative Assembly elections

| Year | Party leader | Seats won | Change in seats | Percentage of votes | Popular vote | Outcome |
| Tamil Nadu |||||||
| 1962 | C. N. Annadurai | 50 / 205 | 37 | 27.10% | 3,435,633 | Opposition |
| 1967 | C. N. Annadurai | 137 / 234 | 87 | 40.69% | 6,230,556 | Government |
| 1971 | M. Karunanidhi | 184 / 234 | 47 | 48.58% | 7,654,935 | Government |
| 1977 | M. Karunanidhi | 48 / 234 | 136 | 24.89% | 4,258,771 | Opposition |
| 1980 | M. Karunanidhi | 37 / 234 | 11 | 22.1% | 4,164,389 | Opposition |
| 1984 | M. Karunanidhi | 24 / 234 | 13 | 29.3% | 6,362,770 | Others |
| 1989 | M. Karunanidhi | 150 / 234 | 116 | 37.89% | 9,135,220 | Government |
| 1991 | M. Karunanidhi | 2 / 234 | 148 | 22.5% | 5,535,668 | Others |
| 1996 | M. Karunanidhi | 173 / 234 | 171 | 53.77% | 14,600,748 | Government |
| 2001 | M. Karunanidhi | 31 / 234 | 142 | 30.90% | 8,669,864 | Opposition |
| 2006 | M. Karunanidhi | 96 / 234 | 65 | 26.50% | 8,728,716 | Minority Government |
| 2011 | M. Karunanidhi | 23 / 234 | 73 | 22.40% | 8,249,991 | Others |
| 2016 | M. Karunanidhi | 89 / 234 | 66 | 31.39% | 13,670,511 | Opposition |
| 2021 | M. K. Stalin | 133 / 234 | 44 | 37.7% | 17,430,179 | Government |
| Puducherry |||||||
| 1974 | M. Karunanidhi | 2 / 30 | 2 | | 47,823 | Opposition |
| 1977 | M. Karunanidhi | 3 / 30 | 1 | | 30,441 | Opposition |
| 1980 | M. Karunanidhi | 14 / 30 | 11 | | 68,030 | Government |
| 1985 | M. Karunanidhi | 5 / 30 | 9 | | 87,754 | Others |
| 1990 | M. Karunanidhi | 9 / 30 | 4 | | 101,127 | Government |
| 1991 | M. Karunanidhi | 4 / 30 | 5 | | 96,607 | Opposition |
| 1996 | M. Karunanidhi | 7 / 30 | 3 | | 105,392 | Government |
| 2001 | M. Karunanidhi | 7 / 30 | | | 83,679 | Opposition |
| 2006 | M. Karunanidhi | 7 / 30 | | | | Government |
| 2011 | M. Karunanidhi | 3 / 30 | 4 | 10.68% | 74,552 | Opposition |
| 2016 | M. Karunanidhi | 2 / 30 | 1 | 8.9% | 70,836 | Government |
| 2021 | M. K. Stalin | 6 / 30 | 4 | 18.51% | 154,858 | Opposition |
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Elections :
| Year | Assembly | Party leader | Seats contested | Seats won | Change in seats | Percentage of votes | Vote swing | Popular vote | Outcome |
| 1972 | 5th | M. Karunanidhi | 3 | 0 / 287 | | 0.26% | | 36,466 | Lost |
| 1978 | 6th | M. Karunanidhi | 2 | 0 / 294 | | 0.03% | 0.23% | 6,547 | Lost |
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Elections :
| Year | Assembly | Party leader | Seats contested | Seats won | Change in seats | Percentage of votes | Vote swing | Popular vote | Outcome |
| 1978 | 6th | M. Karunanidhi | 3 | 0 / 224 | | 0.13% | | 16,437 | Lost |
Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections :
| Year | Assembly | Party leader | Seats contested | Seats won | Change in seats | Percentage of votes | Vote swing | Popular vote | Outcome |
| 1970 | 4th | M. Karunanidhi | 1 | 0 / 133 | | 0.02% | | 1,682 | Lost |

## Current office bearers and prominent members

| Member | Position in Government | Party Position |
| M. K. Stalin | Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kolathur Former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu | President |
| Duraimurugan | Minister for Water Resources of Tamil Nadu Member of the Legislative Assembly from Katpadi Leader of the House in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | General Secretary |
| T. R. Baalu | Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from 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 MLA from Tiruchirappalli West | Party Principal Secretary |
| I. Periyasamy | Minister for Rural Administration MLA from Aathoor | Deputy General Secretary |
| K. Ponmudy | Minister for Higher Education MLA from Tirukkovilur | Deputy General Secretary |
| A. Raja | Member of Parliament (LS) from Nilgiris Former Union Minister for Information Technology | Deputy General Secretary |
| Anthiyur P. Selvaraj | Member of Rajya Sabha, Former State Minister for Handlooms and Textile | Deputy General Secretary |
| Kanimozhi Karunanidhi | Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Thoothukkudi Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | Deputy General Secretary andParliamentary Chairperson |
| R. S. Bharathi | Former Member of Parliament (RS) Former Chairman of Alandur Municipality | Organization Secretary |
| T. K. S. Elangovan | Former Member of Parliament (RS) | Official Spokesperson |
| 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 | Youth Wing Secretary |
| Dr. T R B Rajaa | Minister for Industries,Investments and Commerce Member of Legislative Assembly from Mannargudi | Information Technology Wing Secretary |
| Helena Davidson | Former Member of Parliament (LS) from Kanniyakumari | Women's Wing Secretary |
| CVMP Ezhilarasan | Member of Legislative Assembly from Kancheepuram | Students' Wing Secretary |
| Dayanidhi Maran | Member of Parliament (LS) from 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 | Assets Committee Secretary |
| Dr Ezhilan Naganathan | Member of Legislative Assembly from Thousand Lights | Medical Wing Secretary |
| M M Abdulla | Member of Parliament (RS) | NRI Wing Secretary |

## List of party leaders
### Presidents

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office |
| 1 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | 27 July 1969 | 3 January 2017 | 47 years, 160 days |
| Acting | | M. K. Stalin (born in 1953) | 4 January 2017 | 27 August 2018 | 8 years, 72 days |
| 2 | | M. K. Stalin (born in 1953) | 28 August 2018 | Incumbent | 8 years, 72 days |

### General Secretaries

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office |
| 1 | | C. N. Annadurai (1909–1969) | 17 September 1949 | 24 April 1955 | 13 years, 350 days |
| 1 | | C. N. Annadurai (1909–1969) | 25 September 1960 | 3 February 1969 | 13 years, 350 days |
| 2 | | V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920–2000) | 24 April 1955 | 24 September 1960 | 13 years, 254 days |
| 2 | | V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920–2000) | 4 February 1969 | 16 May 1977 | 13 years, 254 days |
| 3 | | K. Anbazhagan (1922–2020) | 17 May 1977 | 7 March 2020 | 42 years, 295 days |
| 4 | | Duraimurugan (born in 1938) | 9 September 2020 | Incumbent | 4 years, 189 days |

## List of chief ministers
### Chief Minister of Madras State

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Assembly (Election) | Elected constituency | Ministry |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Assembly (Election) | Elected constituency | Ministry |
| 1 | | C. N. Annadurai (1909–1969) | 6 March 1967 | 13 January 1969 | 1 year, 313 days | 4th (1967) | Member of the Legislative Council | Annadurai |

### Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Ministry | Constituency | Assembly Election |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Start | End | Duration in days | Ministry | Constituency | Assembly Election |
| 1 | | C. N. Annadurai (1909–1969) | 14 January 1969 | 3 February 1969 | 20 days | Annadurai | Tamil Nadu Legislative Council | 4th (1967) |
| Acting | | V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1910–1988) | 3 February 1969 | 10 February 1969 | 7 days | Nedunchezhiyan I | Triplicane | 4th (1967) |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | 10 February 1969 | 14 March 1971 | 2 years, 32 days | Karunanidhi I | Saidapet | 4th (1967) |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | 15 March 1971 | 31 January 1976 | 4 years, 322 days | Karunanidhi II | Saidapet | 5th (1971) |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | 27 January 1989 | 30 January 1991 | 2 years, 3 days | Karunanidhi III | Harbour | 11th (1989) |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | 13 May 1996 | 13 May 2001 | 5 years, 0 days | Karunanidhi IV | Chepauk | 11th (1996) |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | 13 May 2006 | 15 May 2011 | 5 years, 2 days | Karunanidhi V | Chepauk | 13th (2006) |
| 3 | | M. K. Stalin (born 1953) | 7 May 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 314 days | Stalin | Kolathur | 16th (2021) |

### Chief Ministers of Pondicherry

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | (Assembly) (Election) | Appointed by (Lieutenant Governor) |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | (Assembly) (Election) | Appointed by (Lieutenant Governor) |
| 1 | | M. O. H. Farook (1937–2012) | Kalapet | 17 March 1969 | 2 January 1974 | 4 years, 291 days | 3rd (1969 election) | B. D. Jatti |
| 2 | | M. D. R. Ramachandran (Unknown) | Mannadipet | 16 January 1980 | 23 June 1983 | 3 years, 158 days | 6th (1980 election) | B. T. Kulkarni |
| 3 | | M. D. R. Ramachandran (Unknown) | Mannadipet | 8 March 1990 | 2 March 1991 | 359 days | 8th (1990 election) | Chandrawati |
| 4 | | R. V. Janakiraman (1941–2019) | Nellithope | 26 May 1996 | 21 March 2000 | 3 years, 300 days | 10th (1996 election) | Rajendra Kumari Bajpai |

### List of deputy chief ministers
#### Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Assembly (Election) | Elected constituency | Chief Minister |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Assembly (Election) | Elected constituency | Chief Minister |
| 1 | | M. K. Stalin (1953–) | 29 May 2009 | 15 May 2011 | 1 year, 351 days | 13th (2006) | Thousand Lights | M. Karunanidhi |
| 2 | | Udhayanidhi Stalin (1977–) | 28 September 2024 | Incumbent | 170 days | 16th (2021) | Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni | M. K. Stalin |

## List of Leaders of the Opposition
### Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Assembly (Election) | Appointed by (Governor) |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Assembly (Election) | Appointed by (Governor) |
| 1 | | V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920–2000) | Triplicane | 29 March 1962 | 28 February 1967 | 4 years, 336 days | 3rd (1962) | S. Chellapandian |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | Anna Nagar | 25 July 1977 | 17 February 1980 | 5 years, 259 days | 6th (1977) | Munu Adhi |
| 2 | | M. Karunanidhi (1924–2018) | Anna Nagar | 27 June 1980 | 18 August 1983 | 5 years, 259 days | 7th (1980) | K. Rajaram |
| 3 | | K. Anbazhagan (1922–2020) | Harbour | 24 May 2001 | 14 April 2006 | 4 years, 325 days | 12th (2001) | K. Kalimuthu |
| 4 | | M. K. Stalin (born 1953) | Kolathur | 4 June 2016 | 3 May 2021 | 4 years, 333 days | 15th (2016) | P. Dhanapal |

### Pondicherry/Puducherry Legislative Assembly

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Assembly ((election)) |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Assembly ((election)) |
| 1 | | R.V. Janakiraman | Nellithope | 22 March 2000 | 15 May 2001 | 1 year, 54 days | 10th (1996 election) |
| 1 | | R.V. Janakiraman | Nellithope | 16 May 2001 | 11 May 2006 | 4 years, 360 days | 11th (2001 election) |
| 2 | | A. M. H. Nazeem | Karaikal | 29 May 2006 | May 2011 | 5 years, 0 days | 12th (2006 election) |
| 3 | | R. Siva | Villianur | 8 May 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 313 days | 15th (2021 election) |

### Madras State Legislative Assembly

| Leader of the Opposition | Term Start | Term End | Duration |
| V. R. Nedunchezhiyan | 29 March 1962 | 28 February 1967 | 4 years, 337 days |

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

| No. | Name | Deputy Speaker | Took office | Left office | Duration |
| 1 | Pulavar K. Govindan | G. R. Edmund | 22 February 1969 | 14 March 1971 | 2 years, 20 days |
| 1 | Pulavar K. Govindan | N. Ganapathy | 3 August 1973 | 3 July 1977 | 3 years, 334 days |
| 2 | K. A. Mathiazagan | P. Seenivasan | 24 March 1971 | 2 December 1972 | 1 year, 253 days |
| Acting | P. Seenivasan (Acting Speaker) | | 2 December 1972 | 3 August 1973 | 1 year, 172 days |
| 3 | M. Tamilkudimagan | V. P. Duraisamy | 8 February 1989 | 30 June 1991 | 2 years, 172 days |
| 4 | P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan | Parithi Ilamvazhuthi | 23 May 1996 | 21 May 2001 | 4 years, 363 days |
| 5 | R. Avudaiappan | V. P. Duraisamy | 19 May 2006 | 15 May 2011 | 4 years, 361 days |
| 6 | M. Appavu | K. Pitchandi | 12 May 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 309 days |

## List of union cabinet ministers
### V. P. Singh ministry (1989–90)

| # | Portrait | Portrait | Minister (Birth-Death) Constituency | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Portfolio | Ministry | Prime Minister |
| # | Portrait | Portrait | Minister (Birth-Death) Constituency | From | To | Period | Portfolio | Ministry | Prime Minister |
| 1 | | | Murasoli Maran (1934–2003) MP for Chennai South | 2 December 1989 | 10 November 1990 | 343 days | Minister of Urban Development | Vishwanath | V. P. Singh |

### H.D Devegowda Ministry (1996–97)

| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| 1 | | Minister of Industry | Murasoli Maran (1934–2003) | 1 June 1996 | 21 April 1997 | 324 days | Chennai Central (Lok Sabha) | H. D. Deve Gowda | |
| 2 | | Minister of Surface Transport | T. G. Venkatraman (1931–2013) | 1 June 1996 | 21 April 1997 | 324 days | Tindivanam (Lok Sabha) | H. D. Deve Gowda | |
| 3 | | Minister of Defence (MoS) | N. V. N. Somu (–) | 6 July 1996 | 21 April 1997 | 289 days | Chennai North (Lok Sabha) | H. D. Deve Gowda | |
| 4 | | Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoS) | T. R. Baalu (born 1941) | 6 July 1996 | 21 April 1997 | 289 days | Chennai South (Lok Sabha) | H. D. Deve Gowda | |

### I.K Gujral Ministry (1997–98)

| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| 1 | | Minister of Industry | Murasoli Maran (1934–2003) | 21 April 1997 | 19 March 1998 | 332 days | Chennai Central (Lok Sabha) | I. K. Gujral | |
| 2 | | Minister of Surface Transport | T. G. Venkatraman (1931–2013) | 21 April 1997 | 19 March 1998 | 332 days | Tindivanam (Lok Sabha) | I. K. Gujral | |
| 2 | | Minister of Urban Affairs & Employment | T. G. Venkatraman (1931–2013) | 14 November 1997 | 12 December 1997 | 28 days | Tindivanam (Lok Sabha) | I. K. Gujral | |
| 3 | | Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoS) | T. R. Baalu (born 1941) | 21 April 1997 | 19 March 1998 | 332 days | Chennai South (Lok Sabha) | I. K. Gujral | |
| 3 | | Minister of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MoS) | T. R. Baalu (born 1941) | 11 January 1998 | 19 March 1998 | 67 days | Chennai South (Lok Sabha) | I. K. Gujral | |
| 4 | | Minister of Defence (MoS) | N. V. N. Somu (–) | 21 April 1997 | 14 November 1997 (died in office) | 207 days | Chennai North (Lok Sabha) | I. K. Gujral | |

### Third Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ministry (1999–2004)

| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| 1 | | Minister of Commerce & Industry | Murasoli Maran (1934–2003) | 13 October 1999 | 9 November 2002 | 3 years, 27 days | Chennai Central (Lok Sabha) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | |
| 1 | | Minister without portfolio | Murasoli Maran (1934–2003) | 9 November 2002 | 23 November 2003 | 1 year, 14 days | Chennai Central (Lok Sabha) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | |
| 2 | | Minister of Environment & Forests | T. R. Baalu (born 1941) | 13 October 1999 | 21 December 2003 | 4 years, 69 days | Chennai South (Lok Sabha) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | |
| 3 | | Minister of Rural Development (MoS) | A. Raja (born 1963) | 13 October 1999 | 30 September 2001 | 1 year, 352 days | Perambalur (Lok Sabha) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | |
| 3 | | Minister of Health & Family Welfare (MoS) | A. Raja (born 1963) | 30 September 2000 | 21 December 2003 | 3 years, 82 days | Perambalur (Lok Sabha) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | |

### First Manmohan Singh Ministry (2004–2009)

| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| 1 | | Minister of Environment and Forests | A. Raja (born 1963) | 23 May 2004 | 15 May 2007 | 2 years, 357 days | Perambalur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 1 | | Minister of Communications & Information Technology | A. Raja (born 1963) | 15 May 2007 | 22 May 2009 | 2 years, 7 days | Perambalur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 2 | | Minister of Communications & Information Technology | Dayanidhi Maran (born 1966) | 23 May 2004 | 15 May 2007 | 2 years, 357 days | Chennai Central (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 3 | | Minister of Road Transport and Highways | T. R. Baalu (born 1941) | 23 May 2004 | 22 May 2009 | 4 years, 364 days | Chennai South (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 3 | | Minister of Shipping | T. R. Baalu (born 1941) | 25 May 2004 | 2 September 2004 | 100 days | Chennai South (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 4 | | Minister of Law and Justice (MoS) | K. Venkatapathy (born 1946) | 23 May 2004 | 22 May 2009 | 4 years, 364 days | Cuddalore (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 5 | | Minister of Home Affairs (MoS) | S. Regupathy (born 1950) | 23 May 2004 | 15 May 2007 | 2 years, 357 days | Pudukkottai (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 5 | | Minister of Environment and Forests (MoS) | S. Regupathy (born 1950) | 15 May 2007 | 22 May 2009 | 2 years, 7 days | Pudukkottai (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 6 | | Minister of Commerce and Industry (MoS) | S. S. Palanimanickam (born 1950) | 23 May 2004 | 25 May 2004 | 2 days | Thanjavur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 6 | | Minister of Finance (Revenue, from 29 January 2006) (MoS) | S. S. Palanimanickam (born 1950) | 25 May 2004 | 22 May 2009 | 4 years, 362 days | Thanjavur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 7 | | Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoS) | Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan (born 1947) | 23 May 2004 | 22 May 2009 | 4 years, 364 days | Tiruchengode (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 8 | | Minister of Home Affairs (MoS) | V. Radhika Selvi (born 1976) | 18 May 2007 | 22 May 2009 | 2 years, 4 days | Tiruchendur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |

### Second Manmohan Singh Ministry (2009–2014)

| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Term in office | Term in office | Term in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| No. | Portrait | Portfolio | Name (Birth–Death) | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Constituency (House) | Prime Minister | Prime Minister |
| 1 | | Minister of Communications & Information Technology | A. Raja (born 1963) | 28 May 2009 | 15 November 2010 | 1 year, 171 days | Nilgiris (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 2 | | Minister of Textiles | Dayanidhi Maran (born 1966) | 28 May 2009 | 12 July 2011 | 2 years, 45 days | Chennai Central (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 3 | | Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers | M. K. Alagiri (born 1951) | 28 May 2009 | 21 March 2013 | 3 years, 297 days | Madurai (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 4 | | Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoS) | D. Napoleon (born 1963) | 28 May 2009 | 21 March 2013 | 3 years, 297 days | Perambalur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 5 | | Minister of Health & Family Welfare (MoS) | S. Gandhiselvan (born 1963) | 28 May 2009 | 21 March 2013 | 3 years, 297 days | Namakkal (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 6 | | Minister of Finance (Revenue) (MoS) | S. S. Palanimanickam (born 1950) | 28 May 2009 | 21 March 2013 | 3 years, 297 days | Thanjavur (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 7 | | Minister of Information & Broadcasting (MoS) | S. Jagathrakshakan (born 1950) | 28 May 2009 | 28 October 2012 | 3 years, 153 days | Arakkonam (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 7 | | Minister of New & Renewable Energy (MoS) | S. Jagathrakshakan (born 1950) | 28 October 2012 | 2 November 2012 | 5 days | Arakkonam (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |
| 7 | | Minister of Commerce & Industry (MoS) | S. Jagathrakshakan (born 1950) | 2 November 2012 | 21 March 2013 | 139 days | Arakkonam (Lok Sabha) | Manmohan Singh | |

## List of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Elected constituency | Lok Sabha (Election) | Speaker | Assumed office | Left office | Time in office | Prime Minister |
| | G. Lakshmanan (1924–2001) | Chennai North | 7th (1980) | Balram Jakhar (INC) | 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

| Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | | | | |
| Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | Justice Party 1917 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Self-respect movement 1925 | Self-respect movement 1925 | Self-respect movement 1925 | Self-respect movement 1925 | Self-respect movement 1925 | Self-respect movement 1925 | | |
| Dravidar Kazhagam 1944 | Dravidar Kazhagam 1944 | Dravidar Kazhagam 1944 | Dravidar Kazhagam 1944 | Dravidar Kazhagam 1944 | Dravidar Kazhagam 1944 | Justice Party (PTR) | Justice Party (PTR) | Justice Party (PTR) | Justice Party (PTR) | Justice Party (PTR) | Justice Party (PTR) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1949 | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1949 | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1949 | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1949 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Tamil National Party 1962 | Tamil National Party 1962 | Tamil National Party 1962 | Tamil National Party 1962 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Merger with Indian National Congress 1964 | Merger with Indian National Congress 1964 | Merger with Indian National Congress 1964 | Merger with Indian National Congress 1964 | Merger with Indian National Congress 1964 | Merger with Indian National Congress 1964 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17 October 1972 | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17 October 1972 | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17 October 1972 | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17 October 1972 | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17 October 1972 | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17 October 1972 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam 1974 | Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam 1974 | Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam 1974 | Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam 1974 | Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam 1974 | Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam 1974 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1977 | Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1977 | Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1977 | Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1977 | Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1977 | Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1977 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Merger with AIADMK 1977 | Merger with AIADMK 1977 | Merger with AIADMK 1977 | Merger with AIADMK 1977 | Merger with AIADMK 1977 | Merger with AIADMK 1977 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | M.G.R.'s death on 24 December 1987 | M.G.R.'s death on 24 December 1987 | M.G.R.'s death on 24 December 1987 | M.G.R.'s death on 24 December 1987 | M.G.R.'s death on 24 December 1987 | M.G.R.'s death on 24 December 1987 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | | | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | AIADMK Jayalalithaa faction | | | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | AIADMK Janaki faction | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani 1988 | Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani 1988 | Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani 1988 | Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani 1988 | Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani 1988 | Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani 1988 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Merger with Janata Dal 1989 | Merger with Janata Dal 1989 | Merger with Janata Dal 1989 | Merger with Janata Dal 1989 | Merger with Janata Dal 1989 | Merger with Janata Dal 1989 | | | | | AIADMK unifies again Janaki's faction dissolved and merged with Jayalalithaa's faction 1989 | AIADMK unifies again Janaki's faction dissolved and merged with Jayalalithaa's faction 1989 | AIADMK unifies again Janaki's faction dissolved and merged with Jayalalithaa's faction 1989 | AIADMK unifies again Janaki's faction dissolved and merged with Jayalalithaa's faction 1989 | AIADMK unifies again Janaki's faction dissolved and merged with Jayalalithaa's faction 1989 | AIADMK unifies again Janaki's faction dissolved and merged with Jayalalithaa's faction 1989 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1994 | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1994 | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1994 | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1994 | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1994 | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 1994 |
| | | | | | | MGR Kazhagam 1995 | MGR Kazhagam 1995 | MGR Kazhagam 1995 | MGR Kazhagam 1995 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | MGR Anna DMK 1996 | MGR Anna DMK 1996 | MGR Anna DMK 1996 | MGR Anna DMK 1996 | MGR Anna DMK 1996 | MGR Anna DMK 1996 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Merger with Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 | Merger with Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 | Merger with Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 | Merger with Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 | Merger with Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 | Merger with Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Major Dravidian parties that are currently active | Major Dravidian parties that are currently active | Major Dravidian parties that are currently active | Major Dravidian parties that are currently active | Major Dravidian parties that are currently active | Major Dravidian parties that are currently active | | | | | Dravidar Kazhagam | Dravidar Kazhagam | Dravidar Kazhagam | Dravidar Kazhagam | Dravidar Kazhagam | Dravidar Kazhagam | | | | | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | | | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | | | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | | |

## Media

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party runs two newspapers, one in English and one in Tamil, namely The Rising Sun (weekly journal) and Murasoli (daily journal), respectively.
Kalaignar TV is a channel started on 15 September 2007 and managed by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Dayalu Ammal, the daughter and wife of Karunanidhi. The sister channels of Kalaignar are 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.