MDMK ends nine-year alliance with DMK in Tamil Nadu

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) formally ended its nine-year alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, marking a significant realignment in Tamil Nadu's post-election political landscape. The decision was taken at the party's General Council meeting in Chennai, led by its founder and veteran leader Vaiko.

The MDMK cited ideological reasons for its exit, alleging that attempts were made to erode its distinct political identity during the recent Assembly elections and criticizing post-election political negotiations. The party's resolution specifically claimed there were arrangements to help the rival AIADMK form a government, which it said betrayed the people's mandate and rendered the alliance's ideological commitments meaningless. The DMK has denied these allegations.

This departure is the latest in a series of defections from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) following its defeat in the April 23 Assembly elections. The Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay, emerged as the single largest party. Since the results, several longtime DMK allies, including the Congress, the Viduthalai...