Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Explained

Party Name:Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Abbreviation:MDMK
General Secretary:Vaiko
Ppchairman:Vaiko
Loksabha Leader:Durai Vaiko
Rajyasabha Leader:Vaiko
Founder:Vaiko
Split:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Headquarters:Thayagam,
12, Rukmini Lakshmipathi Salai, Egmore, Chennai – 600008, Tamil Nadu, India.
Students:MDMK Student Wing
Youth:MDMK Youth Wing
Women:MDMK Women's Wing
Labour:Marumalarchi Labour Front
Position:Centre-left[1]
Colours: Red
Eci:Unrecognised parties[2]
State Seats Name:Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Flag:MDMK.svg
Website:www.mdmk.org.in

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (; 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.

History

Formation

Vaiko 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

Vaiko 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

The 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

With 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

Due to issues in seat sharing, MDMK quit the ADMK Alliance and boycotted the 2011 Assembly elections of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Sanchi Protest

The 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

The 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

The 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 alloted Matchbox with stick symbol for contesting in Trichy.

Election history

Election Year ! style="width:25%;" Style="background-color:#cc0000; color:white"
Election Votes polledWonChange of SeatsAllianceResult
199611th Lok Sabha552,11824MDMK-CPI(M)! style="background:#FFA07A;"Lost
199812th Lok Sabha1,602,504 3NDA! style="background:#98FB98;" Government
199913th Lok Sabha1,620,5271NDA! style="background:#98FB98;" Government
200414th Lok Sabha1,679,870No ChangeDPA! style="background:#98FB98;" Government
200915th Lok Sabha1,112,908 3TF! style="background:#FFA07A;"Opposition
201416th Lok Sabha1,417,5351NDA! style="background:#FFA07A;" Lost
201917th Lok Sabha563,5911UPA! style="background:#FFA07A;"Opposition
202418th Lok Sabha5,42,2131INDIA! style="background:#FFA07A;"Opposition

Tamil Nadu

Election Year ! style="width:25%;" Style="background-color:#cc0000; color:white"
Election Votes polledWonChange of SeatsAllianceResult
199611th Assembly1,569,168177MDMK+ alliance! style="background:#FFA07A;"Lost
200112th Assembly1,304,469213MDMK+! style="background:#FFA07A;" Lost
200613th Assembly1,971,565 6AIADMK Front! style="background:#98FB98;" Won
201615th Assembly2,300,775 6PWF! style="background:#FFA07A;"Lost
20214,86,976 4SPA+! style="background:#98FB98;" Won

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Ogden, Chris. A Dictionary of Politics and International Relations in India. 20 June 2019. Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-253915-1. en. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Tamil: 'Renaissance Dravidian Progress Federation') A political party. It was established in 1994....
  2. Web site: List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013. Election Commission of India. 9 May 2013. India. 2013.
  3. Web site: Indian Prez summons PM: Trust vote likely on July 21 or 22, Singh garners enough votes - Asian Tribune. 16 July 2016.
  4. News: 21 September 2012. Despite heavy security, MDMK men sneak in Bhopal ahead of Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit. The Economic Times. PTI. 2020-10-24.
  5. News: Vaiko's MDMK snaps ties with NDA, hits out at Modi govt. . 8 December 2014 . 16 July 2016.
  6. Web site: Archived copy . 5 June 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090304080440/http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_2006/StatReport_TN_2006.pdf . 4 March 2009 . dead .