The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (transl. Renaissance Dravidian Progressive Federation; abbr. MDMK) is a political party active in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was established by Vaiko in 1994 after he left the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The headquarters of the party is called Thayagam, which is located at Rukmini Lakshmipathi Salai, Egmore, Chennai.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | MDMK |
| General Secretary | Vaiko |
| Parliamentary Chairperson | Vaiko |
| Lok Sabha Leader | Durai Vaiko |
| Rajya Sabha Leader | Vaiko |
| Founder | Vaiko |
| Founded | 6 May 1994 |
| Split from | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |
| Headquarters | Thayagam, 12, Rukmini Lakshmipathi Salai, Egmore, Chennai – 600008, Tamil Nadu, India. |
| Student wing | MDMK Student Wing |
| Youth wing | MDMK Youth Wing |
| Women's wing | MDMK Women's Wing |
| Labour wing | Marumalarchi Labour Front |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-left[1] |
| Colours | Red |
| ECI Status | Unrecognised parties[2] |
| Alliance | I.N.D.I.A. |
| Seats in Lok Sabha | 1 / 543 |
| Seats in Rajya Sabha | 1 / 245 |
| Seats in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | 0 / 234 |
| Election symbol | |
 | |
| Party flag | |
 | |
| Website | |
| www.mdmk.org.in | |
History
editFormation
editVaiko was a member of Rajya Sabha and a party activist of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Vaiko was a member of the party from his initial student days and actively participated in the party agitations and courted imprisonment several times. He was elected thrice to the Rajya Sabha. In 1994, he was forced out of the parent body as he was seen as a threat to DMK chief Karunanidhi's son, M.K. Stalin. Vaiko along with some district secretaries announced the decision to start a rival party, which became the MDMK.
Support for Sri Lankan Tamils
editVaiko voiced support for Tamils during the Sri Lankan Civil War, including for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam specifically and their goal of secession from Sri Lanka.
Support for the Mullaperiyar Dam
editThe Government of Kerala was keen to demolish the Mullaperiyar Dam because of safety concerns. However, the dam's reservoir is a prime source for irrigation for more than 8 districts including Theni. As a result, Vaiko led an agitation against the Kerala government.
Split in MDMK
editWith the looming possibility of a vote of confidence in Parliament against the UPA, two party MPs, L. Ganesan and Gingee N. Ramachandran, claimed that they enjoyed the support of the majority of party cadre and decided to pledge support to the UPA government. They later withdrew their claim and joined DMK when it was found that they had forged letters of support of party executives.[3]
Boycott of Assembly Election 2011
editDue to issues in seat sharing, MDMK quit the ADMK Alliance and boycotted the 2011 Assembly elections of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Sanchi Protest
editThe MDMK protested the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh in September 2012. Vaiko and his party members traveled to Sanchi. People who traveled through roadways were stopped by the police near Gadchiroli. Some party members tried to reach the spot by rail and air but they were detained by police before reaching Sanchi.[4]
MDMK snap ties with NDA
editThe MDMK left the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in December 2014, accusing the BJP of acting against Tamil interests. This came after heavy criticism of the party from BJP lawmaker Subramanian Swamy.[5]
Party flag and symbol
editThe election symbol is a top. The colour of the top and bottom panel is red and middle panel is black. The party has a weekly journal called Sangoli which carries news and write ups for party workers.[6] In 2024 Parliament Election, the eci allotted Matchbox with stick symbol for contesting in Trichy.
Election history
edit| Election Year | Election | Votes polled | Won | Change of Seats | Alliance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 11th Lok Sabha | 552,118 | 0 / 15
|
No Change | MDMK-CPI(M) | Lost |
| 1998 | 12th Lok Sabha | 1,602,504 | 3 / 5
|
 3
|
NDA | Government |
| 1999 | 13th Lok Sabha | 1,620,527 | 4 / 5
|
1
|
NDA | Government |
| 2004 | 14th Lok Sabha | 1,679,870 | 4 / 4
|
No Change | DPA | Government |
| 2009 | 15th Lok Sabha | 1,112,908 | 1 / 4
|
 3
|
TF | Opposition |
| 2014 | 16th Lok Sabha | 1,417,535 | 0 / 7
|
1
|
NDA | Lost |
| 2019 | 17th Lok Sabha | 563,591 | 1 / 1
|
1
|
UPA | Opposition |
| 2024 | 18th Lok Sabha | 5,42,213 | 1 / 1
|
1
|
INDIA | Opposition |
Tamil Nadu
edit| Election Year | Election | Votes polled | Won | Change of Seats | Alliance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 11th Assembly | 1,569,168 | 0 / 177
|
No Change | MDMK+ alliance | Lost |
| 2001 | 12th Assembly | 1,304,469 | 0 / 213
|
213
|
MDMK+ | Lost |
| 2006 | 13th Assembly | 1,971,565 | 6 / 35
|
6
|
AIADMK Front | Won |
| 2016 | 15th Assembly | 2,300,775 | 0 / 29
|
6
|
PWF | Lost |
| 2021 | 16th Assembly | 4,86,976 | 4 / 6
|
4
|
SPA+ | Won |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ogden, Chris (20 June 2019). A Dictionary of Politics and International Relations in India. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-253915-1.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil: 'Renaissance Dravidian Progress Federation') A political party. It was established in 1994...
- ^ "List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013" (PDF). India: Election Commission of India. 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ "Indian Prez summons PM: Trust vote likely on July 21 or 22, Singh garners enough votes - Asian Tribune". Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ^ "Despite heavy security, MDMK men sneak in Bhopal ahead of Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit". The Economic Times. PTI. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- ^ "Vaiko's MDMK snaps ties with NDA, hits out at Modi govt". The Times of India. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)