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Thursday, February 19, 2026
TopicDMK

Topic: DMK

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, or DMK, is a regional political party based in the state of Tamil Nadu and the Union territory of Puducherry. As of March 2024, it is the party in power in Tamil Nadu — headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin — and the lead opposition in Puducherry.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) can be translated as Dravidian Progressive Federation, and the party adheres to social democratic principles, championing equality and social justice while promoting Tamil nationalism. The party is known for its anti-Hindi imposition policy and for legalising and popularising self-respect marriages — that did not involve priests presiding over the ceremonies.

The DMK, which was founded in 1949, traces its roots to the Justice Party of 1916 (later known as Dravidar Kazgham) and the work of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna. It was founded by Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam. The Justice Party aimed to advocate for the rights and representation of non-Brahmins and socially disadvantaged communities. It fought against caste-based discrimination, championed social justice, and worked towards upliftment through educational reforms and reservation policies. The party played a significant role in shaping the Dravidian movement and had a lasting impact on the socio-political landscape of South India.

Tamil Nadu FM presents interim budget, attacks Centre for ‘artificially inflating’ state’s debt

Subatra AL -
DMK govt accuses Centre of withholding funds, tightening borrowing, unilateral deductions from state accounts. Says Centre's accounting & funding decisions have 'artificially inflated' debt burden.

Rs 5k for women as ‘hawk from North’ eyes Tamil Nadu—DMK pitches poll campaign as battle to save state

Aneesa PA -
DMK campaign song targets BJP, and says Stalin’s return as CM is necessary for Tamil Nadu to win. Stalin, meanwhile, credited Rs 5000 each to women beneficiaries of a govt scheme.

Inside Rahul-Kanimozhi meet: An easing of tensions, and DMK’s softening stance on a big Congress ask

Sourav Roy Barman -
In 2021 Tamil Nadu polls, DMK won 133 of state’s 234 constituencies, enabling it to form government without the support of allies. The Congress was allotted 25 seats and won 18.

In poll-bound TN, Modi challenges DMK with ‘double engine’ pitch. Stalin’s ‘dummy engine’ retort

Prabhakar Tamilarasu -
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pitched a BJP–NDA double engine government for Tamil Nadu, drawing a sharp rebuttal from Chief Minister M. K. Stalin.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi walks out of Assembly again. ‘National anthem insulted, mic switched off’

Prabhakar Tamilarasu -
In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin calls the Governor’s action a 'direct insult to the Assembly, its traditions, and the democratic mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu'.

340 ‘favourable’ transfers, ‘laundering’ of Rs 365 cr: ED’s new charges against Tamil Nadu minister

Mayank Kumar -
In its third dossier to Stalin govt, it gives details of alleged large-scale bribery taken for transfers, postings & money laundering involving KN Nehru's associates.

Parasakthi recalls TN’s 1965 anti-Hindi protests, but amid political heat—a ‘facts vs fiction’ tussle

Prabhakar Tamilarasu -
The Tamil film has drawn strong objections from Congress, even as its ally & ruling DMK appears to welcome it. Rival BJP has sought to exploit the discord within the ruling alliance.

DMK’s Maran in soup for saying North Indian women told ‘don’t work, be in kitchen, bear children’

Prabhakar Tamilarasu -
Remark made while he compared women from Tamil Nadu where they were encouraged academic pursuits. BJP slams Maran & alleges DMK’s abuse of North Indians was a 'regular norm'.

‘Thalaiva’ for a reason: Why TN Congress’s Rahul push & his support for Vijay are a message to DMK

Prabhakar Tamilarasu -
Congress leaders tell ThePrint Rahul Gandhi’s expression of support for TVK leader’s movie is not out of political reasons, but because of their personal rapport.

Pension, laptops, Pongal gifts—DMK courts govt staff, women, youth to ‘blunt anti-incumbency’ in polls

Prabhakar Tamilarasu -
Tamil Nadu govt's welfare blitz, political watchers say, is a deliberate electoral strategy, meant to check criticism from Opposition & draw AIADMK voters.
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