Tamil Nadu Timeline

PoliticsDMK-AIADMK alternation

DMK government dismissed under Article 356

· Chennai

The Chandra Shekhar government dismissed the Karunanidhi ministry, citing law and order concerns linked to LTTE activity, and imposed President's rule.

On 30 January 1991 the Union government of Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar dismissed the DMK government of M. Karunanidhi using Article 356 of the Constitution. The dismissal cited a deterioration in law and order and alleged LTTE activity in the state; it was made without a report from the Governor recommending it. Tamil Nadu came under President's rule. Fresh elections were held in June 1991 together with the Lok Sabha election.

Related events

  1. 1969

    1. Sep 1969 to 1971ChennaiGovernance

      Rajamannar Committee on Centre-State relations

      The DMK government appointed a committee under P. V. Rajamannar to study state autonomy and Centre-State relations.

  2. 1970

    1. 12 Sep 1970ChennaiPolitics

      State Autonomy Conference held in Madras

      Periyar and leaders from other states joined a State Autonomy Conference in Madras called by Chief Minister Karunanidhi.

  3. 1976

    1. 31 Jan 1976 to 30 Jun 1977ChennaiPolitics

      Karunanidhi government dismissed; President's rule imposed

      During the Emergency the Union government dismissed the DMK ministry and imposed President's rule in Tamil Nadu.

  4. 1980

    1. Feb 1980 to 9 Jun 1980ChennaiPolitics

      MGR government dismissed, President's rule imposed

      The Union government dismissed the AIADMK ministry and dissolved the Tamil Nadu assembly, imposing President's rule.

  5. 1985

    1. 1985ChennaiPolitics

      Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) formed

      TESO was formed in Tamil Nadu to mobilise support for Sri Lankan Tamils, with M. Karunanidhi among its leaders.

  6. 1988

    1. 7 Jan 1988 to Jan 1989ChennaiPolitics

      Janaki Ramachandran ministry and President's rule

      V. N. Janaki became Tamil Nadu's first woman Chief Minister, but her ministry was dismissed within weeks and President's rule followed.

Open in the timeline explorer