The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), founded on 17 September 1949, by C. N. Annadurai, is a significant political force in Tamil Nadu, India. Originating from the Dravidar Kazhagam led by E. V. Ramasami (Periyar), the DMK made history under Annadurai by becoming the first party, other than the Indian National Congress, to secure a clear majority in state-level elections on its own in 1967.
After Annadurai's demise in 1969, M. Karunanidhi (Kalaignar) assumed the party's presidency and went on to serve as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five non-consecutive terms. Both Annadurai and Karunanidhi have been instrumental in shaping the state's political landscape.
The DMK is rooted in Dravidianism, Tamil nationalism, regionalism, social democracy, secularism, and social justice, positioning itself from the center-left to the left-wing spectrum. Its symbol, The Rising Sun, represents its political ideology.
In terms of electoral performance, the DMK has consistently participated in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. Presently, the party holds 23 Lok Sabha seats, 10 Rajya Sabha seats, 132 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and 6 seats in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly.
Currently, the DMK is the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, having emerged victorious in the 2021 state election. It stands as one of the dominant political entities in Tamil Nadu, alongside the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
The political situation in Tamil Nadu remains unresolved as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay struggles to reach the majority mark of 118 seats to form the government. Currently holding 116 signatures, the TVK requires the support of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which has two MLAs.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram talked about the rise of Vijay and his party TVK in Tamil Nadu, why Congress is backing TVK and the future of the INDIA bloc after a DMK leader said it's over.
Following the recent assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, a major political shift is underway as archrivals DMK and AIADMK are reportedly holding talks to form a post-poll alliance.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has been chosen as the legislative assembly leader by the party in Tamil Nadu.
As Tamil Nadu prepares for polling, Chennai reports a significant influx of voters returning to participate in the electoral process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and urged him to support the upcoming Amendment Bill aimed at operationalising the Women's Reservation Act, describing it as a collective responsibility for women's empowerment.
In an exclusive interview with India Today during the campaign trail in Dindigul, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi discusses the party's vision for the upcoming elections and defends its welfare schemes.
Tamil Nadu's politics is deeply rooted in Dravidianism, shaped by iconic leaders who defined generations. The political landscape began with Periyar's social justice movement in the 1930s, followed by CN Annadurai who formed the DMK in 1949 and brought Tamil identity into governance after the 1967 victory.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has officially released its new campaign song ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, focusing on grassroots mobilisation and the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin.
On this India Today special report, anchor Akshita Nandagopal discusses the escalating war of words between the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. The report highlights a significant claim made by TVK leader Nirmal Kumar, who stated, 'Chennai has transformed from a DMK stronghold into a TVK bastion over the past three years.' The TVK leadership suggests that the DMK's long-standing dominance in the state capital is fading due to a growing support base among the urban youth and suburban voters for TVK chief Vijay. The discussion further explores the possibility of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin or Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin being forced to seek safer constituencies in future elections. While Chennai has historically been a DMK fortress, the emergence of TVK as a political challenger marks a potential shift in the state's political dynamics ahead of the upcoming polls.
On this Special Report, India Today reporter Anagha Keshav provides exclusive details on the high-level talks between the DMK and the Congress party ahead of the elections in Tamil Nadu. According to the scoop, the DMK has firmly rejected the Congress party's demand for power sharing and cabinet berths, with Anagha Keshav noting that 'Kanimozhi has made it very, very clear that the DMK is not going to be sharing power with them.' The report highlights that despite this refusal, Rahul Gandhi has indicated that the alliance will continue. The DMK's stance is rooted in its philosophy of maintaining a single-party rule at the state level. While the cordial discussions between Rahul Gandhi and Kanimozhi clarified the DMK's position, the final decision on the exact number of seats for the alliance will be concluded through direct communication between Chief Minister MK Stalin and Rahul Gandhi.
On this news bulletin, the focus is on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's recent remarks ahead of the upcoming elections. Addressing the minority community, M.K. Stalin stated that 'Tamil Nadu is the only state which is safe for Muslims.' He further described the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) as a 'fortress that protects the minority' residing in the state. During his address, the Chief Minister also launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of using central agencies like the CBI, ED, and IT to intimidate political opponents and the public. Stalin remarked that he did not need to explain the current situation of the country further, implying a climate of pressure from the Centre. The report highlights the DMK's strategy to consolidate minority votes by positioning itself as a primary defender against central interference and communal insecurity.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating political tension in Tamil Nadu as the DMK-Congress alliance faces internal friction ahead of the upcoming elections. The rift surfaced following demands for power-sharing by Congress leaders, which prompted a sharp retort from a DMK MLA. The MLA asserted that there is 'no India alliance without the DMK' and suggested that seats should not be allocated to Congress leaders Jothimani and Manickam Tagore in the future. The reporter highlights that while the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leadership maintains that alliance decisions will be finalized by the high command in Delhi, the public fallout reflects deep-seated disagreements over the coalition's structure. The programme explores how these internal disputes over seat-sharing and administrative roles might impact the poll prospects of the 'Indy Alliance' in the state, especially as local DMK cadres express resentment over the Congress's demands.
On this Special Report, India Today's Anagha Kesav provides an update on the shifting political landscape in Tamil Nadu ahead of the assembly polls. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is reportedly expanding its alliance from 13 parties in 2021 to 21 parties this year. Kesav highlights the friction within the alliance, stating, 'Congress has demanded for around 40 seats from the DMK, but the DMK is still negotiating with Congress' due to the previous election's performance. DMK leader Kanimozhi has been entrusted to lead the negotiations and is expected to meet Congress leadership in Delhi to finalize the seat-sharing equation. The report also notes discontent among some senior Congress leaders who are considering an alliance with the TVK instead. As the DMK-led alliance takes its final form, the focus remains on whether the two major parties can reach a consensus on the number of seats to be contested.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the escalating political rhetoric in Tamil Nadu as Chief Minister MK Stalin issues a call to action for DMK workers. Stalin has stated that the upcoming 2026 elections represent 'another form of Aryan-Dravidian war' and has instructed party cadres to participate in a statewide 'language war' offensive starting on 25th January. The Chief Minister's directive, issued via a letter to DMK followers, positions the movement as a necessary step to defeat what he describes as an 'anti-Tamil BJP alliance.' Stalin further asserted that victory is assured against political enemies who he claims intend to destroy the Tamil culture. India Today's Pramod Madhav reports on this significant posturing, noting that the DMK is preparing to observe a language war memorial day across the state to consolidate its Dravidian identity and political stance against the opposition ahead of the crucial assembly polls.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the Madras High Court's significant observations regarding Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma. The court stated that if the intent was to eradicate those who follow the faith, then 'the appropriate word is genocide'. The bench further observed that the statements fall under the 'hate speech category' and represent a clear attack on Hinduism. While the BJP has welcomed the court's stance, the DMK has defended its leader, with spokesperson A. Saravanan calling the judgment 'erroneous' and arguing that Sanatana Dharma is not synonymous with Hinduism but represents a rigid caste hierarchy. The programme explores the legal and political fallout of these observations in Tamil Nadu.
On this news bulletin, the focus is on the Madras High Court's significant observations regarding Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma. Justice Sreemadhi, while quashing an FIR against BJP's Amit Malviya, stated that the call for the 'annihilation' of Sanatana Dharma effectively translates to a call for genocide. AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan joined the broadcast to condemn the DMK, stating, 'It is true that Udai Nidhi challenge statements that were made against Sanatana Dharma and the beliefs of Hindus were divisive.' Sathyan accused the DMK of practicing divisive politics and intimidating the judiciary. The court noted that while those making hate speech often go scot-free, those reacting to it face legal action. The discussion highlights the increasing political polarization in Tamil Nadu ahead of upcoming elections, with the opposition accusing the ruling DMK of using dynastic politics and religious targeting to maintain power.
This report provides an inside scoop on the crucial Congress meeting regarding the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. Sources indicate that the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) remains firmly in favour of continuing its alliance with the DMK. The state party unit has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of local leader Praveen Chakravarty. Furthermore, the committee is not supporting Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore’s demand for a power-sharing arrangement with the DMK. The speaker notes, 'Tamil Nadu Congress committee remains in favor of being in alliance with the DMK,' highlighting a preference for stability over the internal calls for cabinet berths. This development comes amidst intense speculation regarding the survival of the alliance and the influence of local leadership on the party's electoral strategy in the state.
On this news segment, the focus is on the political face-off in Tamil Nadu following an exclusive interview with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). DMK leader TKS Elangovan reacts to the claims made by EPS regarding the NDA's prospects, stating, 'Continuously they have lost three elections. This is the fourth election. The same result will be there.' Elangovan dismisses the AIADMK's confidence, asserting that there is no question of the party returning to power. He also addresses the ongoing seat-sharing discussions between the DMK and the Congress, noting that while senior Congress leaders may express their ambitions, the alliance remains smooth and a committee has been formed to finalize details. The programme highlights the DMK's stance that the electoral verdict will mirror past results, leading to another defeat for the AIADMK-led front in the upcoming polls.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has dismissed the electoral prospects of actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Speaking to the media, Chidambaram stated, ‘India Koottani is a strong Koottani... I have complete faith that India Koottani will win.’ He clarified that the Congress remains firmly within the DMK-led alliance, putting to rest speculation about a potential tie-up with TVK. Chidambaram emphasized that seat-sharing decisions would be finalized by the Congress and DMK leadership.
