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.
The numbers just do not add up. Take away the close to 300 seats the Congress and the BJP traditionally win, and the rump that remains does not get comfortably past 272. It also contains mutually incompatible binaries like DMK – AIADMK, TMC – Left, NC – PDP, until recently the SP – BSP, as well as parties like the Shiv Sena and the Akalis that belong to the saffron camp. The Congress will have to deal with allies with finesse and magnanimity.