1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election explained

Election Name:	1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election
Country:	India
Type:	parliamentary
Ongoing:	no
Turnout:	76.57%
Previous Election:	1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election
Previous Year:	1962
Next Election:	1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election
Next Year:	1971
Election Date:	5–21 February 1967
Seats For Election:	All 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Leader1:	C. N. Annadurai
Leaders Seat1:	MLC^[1]
Party1:	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Seats1:	179
Seat Change1:	121^[2]
Popular Vote1:	8,051,433
Percentage1:	52.59%
Swing1:	15.70%
Leader2:	M. Bhakthavatsalam
Party2:	Indian National Congress
Leaders Seat2:	Sriperumbudur (lost)
Seats2:	51
Seat Change2:	84
Popular Vote2:	6,293,378
Percentage2:	41.10%
Swing2:	5.04%
Chief Minister
Posttitle:	Chief Minister
Before Election:	M. Bakthavatsalam
Before Party:	Indian National Congress
After Election:	C.N. Annadurai
After Party:	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Majority Seats:	118

The fourth legislative assembly election of Madras State (later renamed as Tamil Nadu) was held in February 1967. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led coalition under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai won the election defeating the Indian National Congress (Congress). Anti-Hindi agitations, the rising prices of essential commodities, and a shortage of rice were the dominant issues. K. Kamaraj's resignation as the Chief Minister in 1963, to concentrate on party affairs, along with persistent rumors of corruption had weakened the incumbent Congress Government. This was the second time after Communist Party of India winning Kerala assembly elections in 1957, for a non-Congress party to gain the majority in a state in India, and the last time that Congress held power in Tamil Nadu. It was the first time a party or pre-election alliance formed a non-Congress government with an absolute majority. It marked the beginning of Dravidian dominance in the politics of Tamil Nadu. Annadurai, who became the first non-Congress chief minister of post-independence Tamil Nadu, died in office in 1969 and V.R. Nedunchezhiyan took over as acting chief minister.

Background

The Congress party began to show weakness in the years after the 1962 election. In the summer of 1962, DMK conducted demonstrations against rising prices. These demonstrations turned violent throughout the state leading to the arrest of 6500 DMK volunteers, 14 members of the assembly and four members of the Lok Sabha, including Annadurai.

Kamaraj resigned the Chief Ministership in 1963 to assume the presidency of the All India Congress Committee and was replaced by M. Bakthavatsalam. Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr. (Temple Professor Emeritus in the Humanities, Government and Asian Studies from the University of Texas) wrote in an article published in the journal Pacific Affairs, that M. Bhaktavatsalam did not have the personal charisma or political acumen of Kamaraj. Persistent rumours of corruption tarnished the image of the Government. In October 1964, the food crisis brought the popularity of the Congress Government to an all-time low.^[3]

Issues

See main article: Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu. The major issues at play in the election were the official language issue, the rise in essential commodity prices and the shortage of rice. The central Government led by the Indian National Congress had implemented an act replacing English with Hindi as an official language of India while retaining a possible "associate" status to English. The switchover came into effect on 26 January 1965. In protest to the vague wording of the act, fearing a possible elimination of English and imposition of Hindi, DMK had launched an agitation opposing the switchover and that agitation turned violent. The 1967 election was held in the aftermath of this violence.

The acute rice shortage prevailing in the state became an election issue with the DMK promising to supply three padis (approx. 4.5 kg) of rice for 1 Rupee in its election manifesto. The DMK capitalised on the rice shortage as well as widespread discontent with the Bhaktavatsalam administration. Slogans like Kamarajar Annachi kadalaiparuppu vilai ennachu (Elder Brother (Annachi is a title historically been used to refer to a person of Kamaraj's caste) Kamaraj, what happened to the price of chana dal?), Bhaktavatsalam annachi arisi vilai ennachu (lit. Brother Bhatavatsalam, what happened to the price of rice?) were used effectively by the DMK to stir public anger against the Congress.

This election was noted for popular actor, DMK candidate and future Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) being shot in the throat by actor M.R. Radha. He survived the shooting, but the incident created a huge popularity wave for MGR. This eventually helped to increase the popularity of not only MGR, but also the DMK in the election, and is attributed as one of the reasons for the victory of the DMK.^[4]

Coalitions

There were two major political coalitions running in the elections. The Indian National Congress contested alone, while the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) under Periyar E. V. Ramasamy supported and campaigned for the incumbent Congress against his protege Annadurai.^{[5] [6] [7]} The DMK-led front comprised the Swatantra Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Praja Socialist Party, Samyukta Socialist Party, Tamil Nadu Toilers Party, Republican Party of India and the Indian Union Muslim League. The Tamil Arasu Kazhagam and the We Tamils party campaigned using the DMK election symbol.^[8] This opposition coalition was forged by C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) with the sole purpose of defeating the Kamaraj led Congress. Rajaji's personal hostility to Kamaraj and his opposition to the Congress party were the main reasons behind Swatantra's alliance with DMK.^[9] The Communist Party of India campaigned alone without joining either of the two coalitions.^[10]

The electoral alliance between DMK, Swatantra Party and Muslim League had emerged in the years before the 1964 civic elections throughout Madras state. During the 1964 election campaign Rajagopalachari had said, "The DMK and Muslim League are my children and I am duty bound to nurse them to strength and stature."^[3]

Campaigning

See also: Tamil cinema and Dravidian politics. Both Congress and DMK used films and actors for campaigning. Gemini Studios produced a political film for the Congress  - Vazhga Nam Thayagam starring Shivaji Ganesan and Nagesh. Sivaji and Padmini worked for the Congress party. Despite its efforts, Congress could not counter the DMK's propaganda, which had a long history of using films for political campaigns since its founding.^[11]

DMK's long-term association with the Tamil Film industry was put to good use in the campaign. MGR's films were used to attack Congress policies and to popularise DMK's positions. Similar to the tactics employed in the elections of 1957 and 1962, film songs and dialogues from Kaanji Thalaivan (1963), "Deivathai (1964), "Padakotti (1964)", Aayirathil Oruvan", Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Anbe Vaa (1966), Naan Aanaiyittal (1966), "Mugarasi (1966)", "Petralthan Pillaya (1966)",Vivasayee (1967) and Arasakattalai (1967) were used for political messaging. Lesser known film stars like Ravichandran and Jaishankar used their films for praising DMK and Annadurai. The DMK put up posters of MGR recuperating in a hospital bed with a neck cast (from his gunshot wounds) all over Tamil Nadu to garner public sympathy and support.^{[12] [13]}

Election

The election was held for a total of 234 constituencies, including 43 Scheduled Caste and 2 Scheduled Tribe reserved constituencies. 778 candidates, including 11 women were in the fray, of whom 231 men and 3 women were elected to the assembly. The election saw a turnout of 76.57 percent of all eligible voters, with 79.19% men and 73.99% women casting their votes. The polling for the assembly election took place along with the polling for the 1967 parliamentary elections. It took place in three phases between 5 and 21 February (5, 18 and 21 February).^{[14] [15]}

Seat Allotment

DMK Front

No.	Party		Election Symbol	Leader	Seats
1.				168
2.				27
3.				Puchalapalli Sundarayya	22
4.				4
5.				3
6.				3
Unrecognized parties, whose candidates ran under DMK ticket
7.				4
8.				2
Unrecognized parties, whose candidates ran as an independent supported by DMK
9.				2

Congress

Results

DMK and its coalition allies won 179 seats (76.5%). The Indian National Congress won 51 seats (21.8%).^[16] Four candidates of the Naam Thamizhar Party led by S. P. Adithanar and two candidates of Tamil Arasu Kazhagam led by M. P. Sivagnanam contested^[17] under DMK's "Rising Sun" Symbol. The Indian Union Muslim League candidates contested^[17] as independents.^[18]

^[19]

Alliances	Party		Popular Vote	Vote %	Seats contested	Seats won	Change
align=left rowspan=7 valign=top	United Front^[20] Seats: 179 Seat Change: 121 Popular Vote: 8,051,433 Popular Vote %: 52.59%		6,230,552	40.69%	174	137	87
	811,232	5.30%	27	20	12
	623,114	4.07%	22	11	11
	136,188	0.89%	4	4	4
	95,494	0.62%	3	3	3
	84,188	0.55%	3	2	2
align=left colspan="2"	DMK Backed Independents	70,665	0.46%	2	2	2
align=left rowspan=1 valign=top	Indian National Congress Seats: 51 Seat Change: 84 Popular Vote: 6,293,378 Popular Vote %: 41.10%		6,293,378	41.10%	232	51	84
align=left rowspan=5 valign=top	Others Seats: 4 Seat Change: 4		591,214	3.86%	246	1	4
	275,932	1.80%	32	2
	44,714	0.29%	1	1
	31,286	0.20%	13	0
	22,745	0.15%	24	0
Total	align=center colspan="2"	11 Political Parties	15,310,702	100%	—	234	28

By constituency

	Muslim League Candidates contesting as independents^[21]
	DMK backed Independents^[22]

• Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency

! colspan="2"

Assembly Constituency	Winner					Runner Up					Margin
k	Name	Candidate	Party		data-sort-type=number	Votes	%	Candidate	Party			data-sort-type=number	Votes	%
1	Washermanpet	M. Vedachalam		34,571	50.7	M. Mayandi Nadar		27,329	40.08	7,242
2	Harbour	H. Baig		29,360	51.69	K. S. G. Haja Shareef		25,510	44.91	3,850
3	Basin Bridge	M. R. Kannan		40,109	53.81	K. Ramdas		30,757	41.26	9,352
4	Park Town	H. V. Hande		29,144	51.57	T. N. Anandanayaki		26,465	46.83	2,679
5	Perambur	Sathyavani Muthu		40,364	54.19	D. Sulochana		33,677	45.21	6,687
6	Purasawalkam	V. S. Govindarajan		41,272	58.04	Damodaran		29,046	40.85	12,226
7	Egmore	A. V. P. Asaithambi		36,133	54.2	J. Vencatachellum		29,187	43.78	6,946
8	Thousand Lights	K. A. Mathiazhagan		39,518	60.27	M. Sivaraj		25,370	38.69	14,148
9	Triplicane	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan		38,721	59.41	M. S. Sammandappa		26,027	39.93	12,694
10	Mylapore	Arangannal		37,498	57.02	V. R. Radhakrishnan		28,270	42.98	9,228
11	Thiyagaraya Nagar	M. P. Sivagnanam		37,662	57.36	K. M. Subramaniam		27,669	42.14	9,993
12	Saidapet	M. Karunanidhi		53,401	60.96	S. G. Vinayagamurthi		32,919	37.58	20,482
13	Gummidipoondi	K. Vezhavendan		35,887	52.57	Kamalambujammal		31,527	46.19	4,360
14	Ponneri	P. Nagalingam		37,746	56.61	T. P. Elumalai		27,751	41.62	9,995
15		A. P. Arasu		51,437	61.23	V. Venkateswaralu		32,564	38.77	18,873
16	St Thomas Mount	M. G. Ramachandran		54,106	66.67	T. L. Raghupathy		26,432	32.57	27,674
17	Thiruporur	M. Adhi		39,047	60.03	N. M. Manivarama		22,631	34.79	16,416
18	Chengalpattu	C. G. Viswanathan		43,428	62.77	T. Naicker		19,879	28.73	23,549
19	Maduranthakam	Kothandam		38,382	59.2	G. Reddy		25,200	38.87	13,182
20	Acharapakkam	P. S. Ellappan		38,223	62.11	P. Saradambal		23,322	37.89	14,901
21	Uthiramerur	K. M. Rajagopal		47,689	64.01	O. S. Reddiar		26,814	35.99	20,875
22	Kancheepuram	N. Krishnan		45,266	56.78	V. C. S. Nayagar		33,716	42.3	11,550
23	Kunnathur	M. Gopal		47,772	68.88	P. Appavoo		20,563	29.65	27,209
24	Sriperumbudur	D. Rajarathinam		41,655	54.13	M. Bhaktavatsalam		32,729	42.53	8,926
25	Kadambathur	C. V. M. Annamalai		43,499	66.68	C. C. Naidu		21,741	33.32	21,758
26		S. M. Dorairaj		40,687	66.06	V. S. Arunachalam		19,030	30.9	21,657
27		K. Vinayakam		27,123	40.34	V. K. Kuppuswamy		25,337	37.68	1,786
28	Arakkonam	S. J. Ramaswamy Mudali		38,478	52.78	B. Naidu		30,870	42.35	7,608
29	Sholingur	Aranganathan		35,225	51.67	A. M. Ponnuranga Mudaliar		28,201	41.37	7,024
30	Ranipet	A. G. Sahib		30,011	45.14	S. K. Sheriff		28,953	43.55	1,058
31	Arcot	Arcot N. Veeraswami		37,514	60.13	A. G. R. Naicker		23,184	37.16	14,330
32	Katpadi	G. Natarajan		32,952	53.06	P. S. R. Naidu		25,032	40.3	7,920
33	Gudiyatham	V. K. Kothandaraman		38,825	61.21	B. R. Naidu		21,901	34.53	16,924
34	Pernambattu	P. Jayaraman		28,868	54.75	T. Manavalan		19,957	37.85	8,911
35	Natrampalli	T. C. T. Gounder		29,215	52.18	R. C. S. Gounder		26,776	47.82	2,439
36	Tirupattur (Vellore)	C. Gounder		32,589	49.8	Shunmugam		30,512	46.62	2,077
37	Vaniyambadi	Rajamannar		26,946	50.77	Vadivel		25,308	47.69	1,638
38	Ambur	M. Panneerselvam		31,554	56.35	P. Rajagopal		20,947	37.41	10,607
39	Kaniyambadi	L. Balaraman		29,512	49.62	T. Thiruvengadam		28,100	47.24	1,412
40	Vellore	M. P. Sarathy		39,863	58.96	J. Mudaliar		25,449	37.64	14,414
41	Arani	A. C. Narasimhan		38,038	60.74	T. B. J. Chettiar		17,320	27.66	20,718
42	Cheyyar	K. Govindan		37,068	54.86	K. M. Kangan		17,395	25.74	19,673
43	Vandavasi	Muthulingam		38,626	61.25	A. Adineelam		21,300	33.78	17,326
44	Pernamallur	V. D. A. Mudaly		29,413	46.25	P. Ramachandran		20,225	31.8	9,188
45	Polur	S. Kuppamal		33,292	56.92	S. M. Annamalai		20,224	34.58	13,068
46	Chengam	P. S. Santhanam		29,828	56.84	A. Arumugham		18,773	35.77	11,055
47	Thandarambattu	K. S. Kandar		29,524	50.31	R. Dharmalingam		28,185	48.03	1,339
48	Kalasapakkam	S. Murugaiyan		32,697	51.37	M. Sundarasan		20,554	32.3	12,143
49	Tiruvannamalai	D. Vijayaraj		38,153	49.39	P. U. Shanmugam		34,968	45.26	3,185
50	Melmalayanur	R. R. Munusamy		33,115	50.68	K. G. Gounder		17,295	26.47	15,820
51	Gingee	V. Munusami		39,517	55.59	G. Rajaram		27,905	39.26	11,612
52	Tindivanam	K. Ramamoorthy		34,106	51.59	A. Thangavelu		32,008	48.41	2,098
53	Vanur	Balakrishnan		30,023	50.06	Velayudham		29,953	49.94	70
54	Kandamangalam	M. Raman		35,617	55.83	M. S. Saraswathi		28,180	44.17	7,437
55	Villupuram	M. Shanmugam		37,605	53.73	V. P. S. Gounder		31,674	45.26	5,931
56	Nellikuppam	C. Govindarajan		28,090	47.24	A. Lakshminarayanan		23,117	38.88	4,973
57	Cuddalore	Ere. Elamvazhuthi		35,093	55.09	P. R. Seenivasa Padayachi		27,845	43.71	7,248
58	Panruti	S. Ramachandaran		43,745	60.82	S. V. Vadivelu Padayachi		28,179	39.18	15,566
59	Kurinjipadi	N. Rajangam		25,478	54.5	M. Jayaraman		18,226	38.99	7,252
60	Bhuvanagiri	A. Govindarasan		38,795	56.28	D. Ramachandran		28,234	40.96	10,561
61	Kattumannarkoil	S. Sivasubramanian		30,521	48.34	C. Govindarasu		30,387	48.13	134
62	Chidambaram	R. Kanagasabai Pillai		34,911	49.18	P. Ponchockalingam		33,356	46.99	1,555
63	Vriddhachalam	G. Boovaraghan		42,230	54.77	M. Selvaraj		33,363	43.27	8,867
64	Mangalore	A. Krishnan		34,538	56.67	P. Vedamanickam		21,669	35.56	12,869
65	Ulundurpet	M. Kandaswamy Padayachi		26,796	47.23	V. S. Padayachi		25,236	44.48	1,560
66	Tirukkoyilur	E. M. Subramaniam		34,259	51.25	A. S. Kumarasamy		32,586	48.75	1,673
67	Mugaiyur	A. Govindasamy		37,598	56.42	N. K Ganapathy		25,555	38.35	12,043
68	Rishivandiyam	M. Anandan		26,491	49.6	L. Anandan		26,173	49	318
69	Sankarapuram	S. P. Pachaiyappan		28,292	54.75	D. Muthusami		22,774	44.07	5,518
70	Kallakurichi	D. K. Naidu		39,175	56.38	V. T. Elayapillai		28,642	41.22	10,533
71	Hosur	B. Venkataswami		21,530	52.69	K. A. Pillai		19,329	47.31	2,201
72	Uddanapalle	K. S. Kothandramiah		29,391	65.75	D. C. Vijendriah		15,313	34.25	14,078
73	Krishnagiri	P. M. M. Gounder		24,220	47.31	C. Manniappan		24,035	46.95	185
74	Kaveripatnam	P. Naidu		32,953	52.74	P. V. Seeramulu		29,532	47.26	3,421
75	Uttangarai	T. T. Gounder		31,791	49.06	K. R. Krishnan		29,751	45.91	2,040
76	Harur	N. Theerthagiri		27,565	48.09	N. Arumugam		27,017	47.14	548
77	Dharmapuri	M. S. Gounter		36,258	53.02	D. N. Vadivel		29,567	43.23	6,691
78	Palacode	K. Murugesan		29,186	50.05	M. B. Munusamy		26,096	44.75	3,090
79	Pennagaram	P. K. C. Muthusamy		27,913	49.2	N. Manickam		26,570	46.84	1,343
80	Mettur	M. Surendran		30,635	48.78	K. K. Gounder		24,597	39.17	6,038
81	Taramangalam	Govindan		33,222	57.8	M. S. Krishnan		24,259	42.2	8,963
82	Omalur	C. Palani		28,121	56.17	C. Govindan		17,876	35.71	10,245
83	Salem I	K. Jayaraman		46,776	57.92	P. Thiagarajan		32,710	40.51	14,066
84	Salem I I	E. R. Krishnan		38,781	58	A. R. Gounder		27,285	40.81	11,496
85	Yercaud	V. Chinnasamy		25,124	56.25	Ponnudurai		19,537	43.75	5,587
86	Panamarathupatti	Karipatti T. Ponnumalai		34,597	53.7	C. Sepperumal		26,870	41.7	7,727
87	Veerapandi	Veerapandy S. Arumugam		42,681	66.11	N. S. Sundararajan		21,876	33.89	20,805
88	Edappadi	A. Arumugam		36,935	54.7	K. S. S. Gounder		30,593	45.3	6,342
89	Sankari	R. Nallamuthu		30,112	61.7	A. Rajendran		17,174	35.19	12,938
90	Tiruchengodu	T. A. Rajavelu		42,479	64.73	T. P. Natesan		22,131	33.72	20,348
91	Kapilamalai	C. V. Velappan		41,026	52.25	R. S. Gounder		32,733	41.69	8,293
92	Namakkal	M. Muthuswamy		39,510	54.37	V. R. K. Gounder		31,651	43.55	7,859
93	Sendamangalam	A. S. Gounder		31,308	50.62	S. T. Doraiswamy		30,537	49.38	771
94	Rasipuram	P. Periasamy		38,402	52.53	K. M. Gounder		30,873	42.23	7,529
95	Attur	K. N. Sivaperumal		40,456	57.22	M. P. Subramanyam		30,252	42.78	10,204
96	Talavasal	Moo. Marimuthu		33,289	55.39	A. Doraisamy		24,448	40.68	8,841
97	Gudalur	C. Nanjam		20,675	49.24	Bomman		20,047	47.74	628
98	Udhagamandalam	K. Bojan		37,525	68.03	T. K. Gowder		17,636	31.97	19,889
99	Coonoor	B. Gowder		31,855	58.74	M. K. N. Gowder		22,380	41.26	9,475
100	Mettupalayam	T. T. S. Thippiah		29,709	45.42	Thooyamani		26,736	40.87	2,973
101	Avanashi	R. K. Gounder		31,927	54.36	K. M. Gounder		26,808	45.64	5,119
102	Thondamuthur	R. Manickavachakam		42,261	59.14	V. E. Naidu		26,842	37.56	15,419
103	Singanallur	P. Velusamy		38,378	54.93	V. K. L. Gounder		25,115	35.95	13,263
104	Perur	N. Marudachalam		43,740	61.49	R. Rayappan		26,548	37.32	17,192
105	Coimbatore (West)	J, Govindarajulu		41,059	63.85	S. R. P. P. Chettiar		23,251	36.15	17,808
106	Coimbatore (East)	M. Bhupathy		33,122	50.81	G. R. Damodaran		27,477	42.15	5,645
107	Kinathukadavu	M. Kannappan		40,645	64.63	S. Gounder		20,691	32.9	19,954
108	Pollachi	A. P. Shanmugasundara Goundar		37,480	58.65	E. Gounder		25,688	40.2	11,792
109	Valparai	E. Ramaswamy		40,945	66.24	N. Nachimuthu		20,868	33.76	20,077
110	Udumalaipettai	S. J. Sadiq Pasha		39,796	58.17	K. Ramasami		25,778	37.68	14,018
111	Dharapuram	Palaniammal		42,433	65	P. Velusamy		21,800	33.39	20,633
112	Vellakoil	K. N. S. Gounder		46,009	62.44	D. P. Gounder		26,578	36.07	19,431
113	Kangayam	A. S. Gounder		24,800	36.41	Velusami		24,654	36.19	146
114	Pongalur	P. N. P. Gounder		38,371	61.75	P. S. Rangaswamy		22,414	36.07	15,957
115	Palladam	K. N. Kumarasamy Gounder		31,977	46.99	R. Sengaliappan		24,421	35.89	7,556
116	Tiruppur	S. Duraisamy		35,518	50.05	K. N. P. Gounder		21,373	30.12	14,145
117	Modakkurichi	K. R. Nallasivam		45,303	61.23	C. Kulandiammal		25,444	34.39	19,859
118	Perundurai	S. Balasubramanian		33,164	47.41	N. N. S. Nandradiar		30,030	42.93	3,134
119	Erode	M. Chinnaswamy		45,471	59.14	P. Arjunan		25,808	33.57	19,663
120	Bhavani	A. M. Raja		43,353	65.16	P. K. Mudaliar		21,999	33.07	21,354
121	Anthiyur	E. M. Natarajan		34,877	55.99	Gurumurthi		27,409	44.01	7,468
122	Gobichettipalayam	K. M. R. Gounder		31,974	52.61	M. Gounder		27,403	45.09	4,571
123	Satyamangalam	P. G. Karuthiruman		25,484	49.22	S. M. Marappan		24,278	46.89	1,206
124	Bhavanisagar	Ramarasan		26,980	51.76	M. Velusamy		22,187	42.57	4,793
125	Oddanchatram	N. Gounder		39,817	55.55	A. P. Palaniappan		30,953	43.18	8,864
126	Palani	Krishnamoorthy		47,671	65.8	Balakrishnan		24,780	34.2	22,891
127	Periyakulam	M. Metha		36,023	54.85	R. S. Subramaniam		29,648	45.15	6,375
128	Bodinayakkanur	S. Srinivasan		34,671	49.83	P. V. Durairaj		33,905	48.73	766
129	Cumbum	Rajangam		41,440	59.66	N. S. K. S. Pandiaraj		28,025	40.34	13,415
130	Theni	P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan		42,111	58.73	M. Malaichami		29,597	41.27	12,514
131	Andipatti	S. Paramasivam		35,351	54.86	A. Thiruvenkidasamy		29,091	45.14	6,260
132	Sedapatti	V. T. Thevar		41,167	63.84	T. A. Nadar		21,553	33.42	19,614
133	Tirumangalam	N. S. V. Chitthan		20,319	33.58	M. P. Rajan		17,062	28.2	3,257
134	Usilampatti	P.K. Mookiah Thevar		44,714	72.11	A. M. N. Thevar		16,225	26.17	28,489
135	Nilakottai	A. Muniyandi		37,601	57.71	V. K. L. Gounder		25,115	35.95	12,486
136	Sholavandan	P. S. Maniyan		45,221	60.19	R. S. Servai		28,728	38.24	16,493
137	Thiruparankundram	S. Agniraju		49,169	63.94	S. Sonaimuthu		26,792	34.84	22,377
138	Madurai West	N. Sankaraiah		46,882	59.42	M. Chelliah		23,012	29.17	23,870
139	Madurai Central	C. Govindarajan		39,566	62.86	V. Sankaran		22,787	36.2	16,779
140	Madurai East	K. P. Janakiammal		32,173	50.32	A. G. Subburaman		23,929	37.43	8,244
141	Melur (South)	O. P. Raman		50,913	63.41	P. Kakkan		29,376	36.59	21,537
142	Melur (North)	P. Malaichamy		38,895	56.15	M. Andi Ambalam		30,376	43.85	8,519
143	Vadamadurai	P. T. Naicker		30,507	49.11	V. S. Lakshmanan		28,651	46.13	1,856
144	Dindigul	A. Balasubramanayam		42,381	58.93	O. C. Pillai		29,537	41.07	12,844
145	Athoor	V. S. S. Mani Chettiyar		37,879	50.7	R. R. Reddiar		36,124	48.36	1,755
146	Vedasandur	N. Varadaraj		30,063	48.16	S. N. Rao		29,372	47.05	691
147	Aravakurichi	S. K. Gounder		46,614	67.46	V. P. Gounder		22,482	32.54	24,132
148	Karur	T. M. Nallaswamy		33,552	44.95	S. Nallaswamy		28,677	38.42	4,875
149	Thottiyam	Vadivel		39,701	53.94	T. Veerappan		29,670	40.31	10,031
150	Musiri	P. S. Muthuselvan		32,615	51.48	K. V. K. Reddiar		27,750	43.8	4,865
151	Uppiliapuram	T. P. Alagamuthu		43,453	56.29	A. V. Mudaliar		31,416	40.69	12,037
152	Perambalur	J. S. Raju		33,657	51.03	M. Ayyakannu		28,864	43.76	4,793
153	Varahur	R. Narayanan		32,846	49.64	M. V. Perumal		20,533	31.03	12,313
154	Andimadam	K. N. Ramachandran		32,253	48.25	N. Manickam		26,570	46.84	5,683
155	Jayankondam	K. A. A. K. Moorthy		34,751	52.57	S. Ramasami		28,791	43.56	5,960
156	Ariyalur	R. Karuppiam		26,440	37.37	G. Sepperumal		25,017	35.36	1,423
157	Lalgudi	D. Natarajan		37,352	50.63	D. R. Udaiyar		34,712	47.05	2,640
158	Srirangam	S. Ramalingam		34,474	50.48	P. Ponchockalingam		33,356	46.99	1,118
159	Tiruchirappalli I	M. S. Mani		34,504	52.07	A. S. G. L. Piliai		31,199	47.08	3,305
160	Tiruchirappalli Ii	R. Nagasundaram		26,048	46.08	M. K. M. A. Salam		18,842	33.33	7,206
161	Thiruverumbur	V. Swaminathan		33,513	50.15	K. Kamakshi		28,884	43.22	4,629
162	Kulithalai	M. Kandaswamy		36,120	49.68	P. E. S. Reddiar		32,305	44.43	3,815
163	Krishnarayapuram	P. Soundarapandiyan		28,444	48.72	T. V. Sannasi		25,903	44.37	2,541
164	Kadavur	Karuraigiri Muthiah		35,102	54.94	Anbil P. Dharmalingam		28,788	45.06	6,314
165	Viralimalai	S. S. Thethuvandar		30,288	49.63	P. P. Gounder		26,354	43.19	3,934
166	Thirumayam	Ponnambalam		44,511	62.79	V. Ramiah		24,290	34.26	20,221
167	Alangudi	K. V. Subbiah		32,984	50.64	T. A. S. Thangavelu		32,148	49.36	836
168	Pudukkottai	R. V. Thondaiman		45,342	62.07	Thiagarajan		25,255	34.57	20,087
169	Thiruvaiyaru	G. M. Sethurar		37,693	51.94	K. B. Palani		34,165	47.08	3,528
170	Thanjavur	A. Y. S. Parisutha Nadar		33,228	53.36	S. Natarajan		28,717	46.12	4,511
171	Papanasam	R. S. Mooppanar		41,323	56.57	A. M. Sali		31,077	42.54	10,246
172	Valangiman	N. Somasundaram		34,436	53.1	R. Subramaniam		30,418	46.9	4,018
173	Kumbakonam	N. Kasiraman		37,276	50.63	K. S. Mani		36,083	49.01	1,193
174	Aduthurai	A. Marimuthu		36,537	48.52	M. G. Mani		31,965	42.45	4,572
175	Sirkazhi	K. B. S. Mani		34,316	58.23	R. Thangavelu		21,502	36.48	12,814
176	Sembanarkoil	S. Ganesan		40,453	65.29	S. Ramalingam		21,506	34.71	18,947
177	Mayiladuthurai	N. Kittappa		33,721	51.21	M.R.Krishnappa		30,379	46.14	3,342
178	Kuttalam	G. B. Mohan		31,548	53.99	M. Sivakadaksham		24,812	42.47	6,736
179	Kudavasal	C. Krishnamoorthi		34,880	54.96	M. D. T. Pillai		28,585	45.04	6,295
180	Nannilam	P. Jayaraj		26,053	46.36	T. P. Ramachandran		19,571	34.83	6,482
181	Thiruvarur	P.S. Dhanushokody		30,510	48.04	Vedaiyan. V		27,956	44.02	2,554
182	Nagapattinam	K. R. Gnanasambandan		36,596	56.4	R. R. V. Naidu		26,462	40.78	10,134
183	Vedaranyam	P. V. Thevar		25,942	38.71	M. Meenakshisundaram		25,678	38.32	264
184	Thiruthuraipoondi	N. Dharumalingam		23,728	38.04	K. C. Manali		22,226	35.63	1,502
185	Kottur	A. K. Subbaih		28,156	42.47	C. M. Ambikapathy		22,627	34.13	5,529
186	Mannargudi	T. S. Swaminatha Odayar		32,481	50.1	S. Narayanaswamy		31,558	48.67	923
187	Orathanadu	L. Ganesan		45,232	60.82	M. D. Pillai		29,139	39.18	16,093
188	Gandharvakottai	R. R. Durai		34,665	52.68	D. G. Kalingarar		30,434	46.25	4,231
189	Pattukkottai	A. R. Marimuthu		35,198	54.6	N. Ramasamy		28,056	43.52	7,142
190	Peravurani	M. Krishnamurthy		35,505	45.4	A. V. Servai		26,387	33.74	9,118
191	Aranthangi	A. Thurairasan		42,943	53.11	K. B. Dervaikarar		36,522	45.17	6,421
192	Tiruppattur (Sivaganga)	S. Madhavan		40,170	58.73	V. S. S. Chettiar		26,532	38.79	13,638
193	Karaikudi	S. Meiyappan		38,310	58.73	C. V. C. V. V. Chettiar		21,992	33.71	16,318
194	Tiruvadanai	K. Ambalam		37,556	52.21	M. Arunachalam		33,587	46.69	3,969
195	Ilayangudi	V. Malaikannan		40,461	57.44	S. Ramachandran		29,978	42.56	10,483
196	Ramanathapuram	T. Thangappan		35,880	56.82	S. R. Sethupathy		27,270	43.18	8,610
197	Kadaladi	M. Alangaram		38,681	61.5	K. Paramalai		20,556	32.68	18,125
198	Mudukulathur	R. R. Thevar		33,790	53.17	S. A. Servai		22,500	35.4	11,290
199	Paramakudi	T. K. Siraimeetan		40,428	56.67	R. Thavasi		25,962	36.39	14,466
200	Sivaganga	S. Sethuraman		41,604	59.22	R. V. Swaminathan		28,654	40.78	12,950
201	Manamadurai	K. Cheemaichamy		30,752	44.42	C. B. Rena		30,299	43.77	453
202	Kariapatti	A. R. Perumal		28,484	45.09	P. M. Baskaran		27,366	43.32	1,118
203	Aruppukottai	S. S. Bharathi		34,153	54.68	T. K. Sundarm		25,012	40.04	9,141
204	Virudhunagar	P. Seenivasan		33,421	49.9	K. Kamaraj		32,136	47.98	1,285
205	Sattur	S. Ramaswamy Naidu		45,223	64.11	R. Krishnasamy Naidu		25,313	35.89	19,910
206	Sivakasi	S. Alagu Thevar		38,416	55.73	R. R. Thevar		26,918	39.05	11,498
207	Srivilliputhur	K. A. A. Gurusamy		36,732	53.34	S. P. Dharmaraj		27,791	40.36	8,941
208	Rajapalayam	A. A. S. Raja		38,936	53.29	P. A. A. Raja		25,675	35.14	13,261
209	Vilathikulam	M. Rathinasabapathy		23,905	37.47	M. P. S. Reddiar		20,350	31.9	3,555
210	Kovilpatti	S. Alagarsamy		33,311	55.02	V. O. C. A. Pillai		22,885	37.8	10,426
211	Ottapidaram	M. Muthiah		25,937	45.45	S. Dhanushkodi		20,814	36.47	5,123
212	Sankarankoil	P. Durairaj		37,173	62.79	P. Urkavalan		19,211	32.45	17,962
213	Vasudevanallur	A. Velladurai		33,865	50.24	M. P. Swamy		26,885	39.89	6,980
214	Kadayanallur	A. R. Subbiah Mudaliar		36,349	49.89	S. M. A. Majid		35,903	49.28	446
215	Tenkasi	I. A. Chidambaram Pillai		34,561	49.86	K. M. K. Samsudin		33,818	48.79	743
216	Alangulam	Aladi Aruna		33,509	51.26	A. B. Balagan		30,938	47.32	2,571
217	Ambasamudram	G. G. S. Dikshidar		30,682	46.35	A. Nallasivan		28,169	42.55	2,513
218	Cheranmahadevi	D. S. Adhimoolam		36,206	53.78	S. Chellapandian		29,831	44.31	6,375
219	Gangaikondan	A. Karuppiah		34,797	59.59	M. Chellappa		21,576	36.95	13,221
220	Tirunelveli	A. L. Subramanian		41,589	61.74	M. S. M. Pillai		25,364	37.65	16,225
221	Melapalayam	M. M. P. Mohammed		36,123	55.04	S. R. Reddiar		27,999	42.66	8,124
222	Srivaikuntam	S. P. Adithanar		41,828	62.57	R. Nadar		22,767	34.06	19,061
223	Thoothukkudi	M. S. Sivasami		41,851	60.61	S. P. Nadar		27,193	39.39	14,658
224	Tiruchendur	E. Fernando		39,619	56.06	S. Nadar		28,971	40.99	10,648
225	Sattangulam	Martin		31,143	52.51	Adithan		26,846	45.27	4,297
226	Nanguneri	N. Duraipandian		33,269	53.34	T. G. Nadar		29,097	46.66	4,172
227	Radhapuram	N. Soundarapandian		31,588	50.44	V. Karthesan		31,040	49.56	548
228	Kanniyakumari	B. M. Pillai		37,998	56.89	S. M. Pillai		28,260	42.31	9,738
229	Nagercoil	M. C. Balan		36,502	55.05	T. Nadar		29,810	44.95	6,692
230	Colachel	A. Chidambaranatha Nadar		29,325	48.37	S. Retnaraj		27,879	45.99	1,446
231	Padmanabhapuram	V. George		24,661	46.06	M. M. Ali		17,738	33.13	6,923
232	Thiruvattar	J. James		29,345	54.47	D. Gnanasingamoni		21,253	39.45	8,092
233	Vilavancode	R. Ponnappan Nadar		27,511	56.19	P. M. N. Pillai		16,184	33.05	11,327
234	Killiyoor	William		21,423	42.4	Paniadimai		15,767	31.2	5,656

Analysis

The effective grass roots campaigning by the DMK and the political acumen of Annadurai, defeated the Congress and its leader M. Bhaktavatsalam. The popularity of the United Front was so large that they were able to win an absolute majority in ten out of the 14 districts in the state, while Congress could not accomplish that in a single district. This was largely due to the fact that the United Front was able to capitalize on its growing support in large towns and cities, combined with the decline in Congress support in its traditional Schedule Caste constituencies.

Margin of Victory

The following table shows the number of seats won by corresponding parties, by the margin of votes.

Party		Less than 500	500-1000	1000-3000	3000-5000	5000-10000	10000-20000	20000+
	3	1	10	9	42	56	17
	—	—	5	1	5	8	1
	5	5	20	10	5	3	1
	—	—	1	1	4	4	1

Notable losses

The former chief minister and popular leader of the Indian National Congress, K. Kamaraj lost his seat in Virudunagar by 1285 votes to the student leader P. Seenivasan from the DMK. A few days before the election, Kamaraj had an accident and could not campaign. This led to his famous declaration that he would win lying down (Tamil: படுத்துக் கொண்டே ஜெயிப்பேன்).^[23] He lost the election along with the incumbent Chief Minister M. Bakthavatsalam, who lost his seat in Sriperumbudur to D. Rajarathinam from the DMK by 8926 votes. Except for G. Bhuvaraghan (the minister for Information and Publicity), all ministers of the outgoing Bakthavatsalam cabinet were defeated in this election.^{[24] [25]}

There was a post-result wall-painting in Virudhunagar by DMK which said "படிக்காத காமராஜரை படித்த இளைஞன் சீனிவாசன் தோற்கடித்தார்!" (The illiterate Kamaraj was defeated by Graduate Youth Sreenivasan!). The Congress replied with "படிக்காத முதல்வர் காமராஜர் அன்று கட்டிய அரசு கல்விக்கூடங்களில் படித்து பட்டம் வாங்கிய இளைஞன் சீனிவாசன், இப்போது அதே காமராஜரை தோற்கடித்தான்" (The Seenivasan who studied and graduated in Education Institutes built under orders of then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu illiterate Kamaraj, has now defeated the same Kamaraj)

Government formation

The election results were announced on 23 February 1967 and the DMK won an absolute majority on its own. It had increased its vote share to 40.6% from 27.1% in 1962 election. Annadurai resigned as the Member of Parliament from the Rajya sabha. Annadurai was nominated as Chief Minister of Madras State and staked a claim to form a Government on 2 March 1967. He was sworn in by Governor Ujjal Singh on 6 March 1967 in Rajaji Hall. He was later elected to the Madras Legislative Council on 22 April 1967.^[26]

Annadurai's Cabinet

The council of ministers in C. N. Annadurai's cabinet (6 March 1967 – 10 February 1969) were all from the DMK and they are listed in the following table.^[27]

Minister	Portfolios
C.N. Annadurai	Chief Minister, General Administration, Finance, Civil services, Planning, Police, Prohibition, Overseas Indians, Refugees and Evacuees
V. R. Nedunchezhiyan	Education, Industries, Official Language, Textiles, Yarn, Handlooms, Mines and Minerals, Electricity, Iron and Steel, Companies and Religious Endowments
M. Karunanidhi	Public Works, Highways, Transport, Ports and Minor Irrigation
K. A. Mathialagan	Food, Revenue and Commercial Taxes
A. Govindasamy	Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forests and Chinchona
S. J. Sadiq Pasha	Public Health
Satyavani Muthu	Harijan Welfare and Information
M. Muthuswamy	Local Administration, Community Development, Khadi and Village Industries, Bhoodan and Gramdhan, Ex-servicemen
S. Madhavan	Law, Co-operation and Housing
	Labour

See also

• Indian general election in Madras, 1967
• Elections in Tamil Nadu
• Legislature of Tamil Nadu
• Government of Tamil Nadu

Notes and References

1. Book: Shankarlal C. Bhatt. Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes. Tamil Nadu. 2006. Gyan Publishing House. 978-81-7835-381-4. 525.
2. Web site: The Madras Legislative Assembly, 1962-67, A Review . assembly.tn.gov.in . https://web.archive.org/web/20210606082028/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/3rd_1962/Review%203_62-67.pdf . 6 June 2021 . 24 August 1967 . dead.
3. Robert L. Jr. . Hardgrave . The DMK and the Politics of Tamil Nationalism. Pacific Affairs. 37. 4. 410. Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia. Winter 1964–1965. 10.2307/2755132 . 2755132.
4. Book: Velayutham, Selvaraj . Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry . Routledge . New York . 2001 . 116 . 0-415-39680-8 . 24 September 2016 . 31 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170731095725/https://books.google.com/books?id=bOjT3qffnMkC . live .
5. Web site: Periyar Movement. periyar.org. 16 November 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20070130222128/http://www.periyar.org/html/dk_movement_eng.asp. 30 January 2007. dead.
6. Web site: E.V. Ramaswami Naicker and C.N. Annadurai - Cho Ramaswamy, India Today . 16 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081024183112/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/millennium/100people/durai.html . 24 October 2008 . dead.
7. Web site: Ariyapadavendiya Anna, Kalachuvadu Magazine (in Tamil) . 17 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100104133146/http://kalachuvadu.com/issue-109/page107.asp . 4 January 2010 . dead .
8. Book: Chandra, Kanchan. Kanchan Chandra. Why Ethnic Parties Succeed: Patronage and Ethnic Head Counts in India. Cambridge University Press. 276. 978-0-521-89141-7. 2007-02-15. 24 September 2016. 2 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502035137/https://books.google.com/books?id=s9cYoZaNxMcC&pg=PA276. live.
9. Book: Leadership in South Asia. B. N. Pandey. 1977. 434.
10. Book: Jayakanthan, D . Jayakanthan . 2006 . A Literary Man's Political Experiences . Vikas Publishing House . New Delhi . 978-1-4067-3569-7 . 195 . 24 September 2016 . 7 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140707002917/http://books.google.com/books?id=Lnl_um7uFcsC . live .
11. Book: Selvaraj Velayudham. Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry. 2008. 73. Routledge. 9780415396806. 7 November 2020. 2 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502035138/https://books.google.com/books?id=65Aqrna4o5oC&q=campaign+dmk+1967&pg=PT89. live.
12. Web site: The politics of Bioscope - Part 11, Thinnai.com (in Tamil) . 18 November 2009 . 17 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717050958/http://www.thinnai.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=70703221&format=print . live .
13. Web site: The politics of Bioscope - Part 20, Thinnai.com (in Tamil) . 18 November 2009 . 17 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717051006/http://www.thinnai.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=70706072&format=print . live .
14. Web site: DETAILS OF TERMS OF SUCCESSIVE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES CONSTITUTED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA . . 11 February 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090303204611/http://assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/list/assemblies-overview.htm . 3 March 2009 .
15. Book: Madras. Madras State administration report. 1968. 24 September 2016. 2 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502035139/https://books.google.com/books?id=1nAdAAAAIAAJ&q=Poll+15th+to+21st+February+1967.+During+this+General+Election. live.
16. Web site: 1967 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India . https://web.archive.org/web/20120320175222/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1967/Statistical%20Report%20Madras%201967.pdf . 20 March 2012 . 19 April 2009 .
17. In India the term "Contest" is used to denote participation in an election. The Representation of People Act of 1951, the legislation which governs elections in India uses the term and so does the Election Commission of India.Web site: FAQs - Contesting for Elections. Election Commission of India. 18 February 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101005144743/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/faq/Contesting.asp. 5 October 2010.
18. Book: Karunakaran, Kotta P.. Coalition governments in India: problems and prospects. 1975. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. 233.
19. Web site: Tamil Nadu 1967.
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