Tamil Nadu: Will DMDK's induction boost DMK alliance's electoral prospects?

The ruling DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu has got a major shot in the arm ahead of the assembly elections with the induction of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on Thursday.

The alliance was sealed after a meeting between Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and  DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth in Chennai. DMDK treasurer M.K. Sudhish was also present at the meeting held at ‘Anna Arivalayam’.

"We have sealed an alliance with DMK. Our party cadres also wished for this alliance. It should have been formed when Captain Vijayakanth was alive,” Premalatha said. She added that the allocation of seats will be decided once both parties form election committees and engage in discussions.

Reports suggest that the DMK will allocate 8-10 assembly constituencies and one Rajya Sabha seat to the DMDK. It is also being reported that Premalatha has secured an assurance for an Assembly seat in Virudhunagar district for her son, Vijay Prabhakaran.

Welcoming the DMDK into the alliance, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took to social media to express that the party's entry will ensure continuation of the DMK rule in Tamil Nadu. 

"It brings me immense joy that the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), founded by 'Captain' Vijayakanth -- a man who held unwavering love for Muthamizh Arignar Leader Kalaignar and was my dear friend -- has today joined the secular progressive alliance!,” Stalin said.

"Let your arrival into the DMK alliance contribute to the development of the state. We will continue to work together for the overall growth of Tamil Nadu," he added.

This marks the first time the DMDK has joined the DMK alliance since its founding by late film star Vijayakanth in 2005.

Is the DMDK an influential player?

In the 2021 assembly elections, the DMDK aligned with T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam but failed to win any seats. The DMK secured 133 seats, Congress won 18, PMK got 5, VCK earned 4, and other parties won 8 seats. The AIADMK won 66 seats in the elections.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party was part of the AIADMK alliance but failed to make a significant impact.

The DMDK's strongest performance came in the 2011 elections, when, in alliance with the AIADMK, the party won 29 out of 40 seats it contested. This success earned the party the status of principal opposition, pushing the DMK to third place, with Vijaykanth becoming the Leader of the Opposition.

However, since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when it aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party, the DMDK's electoral fortunes began to decline. In the 2016 elections, the party contested as part of the People's Welfare Front (PWA) but failed to secure a single seat.