Tamil Nadu Timeline

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DMK forms a minority government

· Chennai

DMK forms a minority government
Government of Tamil Nadu, GODL-India · Wikimedia Commons

M. Karunanidhi became Chief Minister for the fifth time, heading a DMK government that depended on outside support from the Congress.

In the 2006 Assembly election the DMK-led alliance defeated the AIADMK, but the DMK alone fell short of a majority. Karunanidhi formed a minority government that relied on support from allies outside the cabinet, mainly the Congress. The DMK manifesto had promised free colour televisions and cheap rice, which were implemented after the election. The term also saw the all-castes priests order, the Uniform System of School Education and the Kalaignar health insurance scheme.

Related events

  1. 1996

    1. May 1996 to May 2001ChennaiPolitics

      DMK-TMC alliance wins 1996 election

      The DMK-TMC alliance won 221 of 234 assembly seats and all 39 Lok Sabha seats; M. Karunanidhi became Chief Minister for the fourth time.

  2. 2001

    1. 14 May 2001ChennaiPolitics

      AIADMK alliance wins the 2001 Assembly election

      The AIADMK-led alliance defeated the DMK government and J. Jayalalithaa was sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time.

  3. 2004

    1. 13 May 2004ChennaiPolitics

      DMK-led alliance wins all 39 Lok Sabha seats

      The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance with the Congress and Left won every Lok Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry; the AIADMK-BJP alliance won none.

  4. 2006

    1. 2006ChennaiWelfare

      Free colour television scheme

      The DMK government began distributing free colour television sets to families holding ration cards, a key 2006 election promise.

  5. 2009

    1. 16 May 2009ChennaiPolitics

      DMK-Congress alliance wins 27 of 39 Lok Sabha seats

      Against expectations, the DMK, Congress and VCK won 27 of Tamil Nadu's 39 Lok Sabha seats, helping the UPA return to power.

  6. 2011

    1. 16 May 2011ChennaiPolitics

      AIADMK returns to power in 2011

      The AIADMK alliance won a large majority and J. Jayalalithaa became Chief Minister for the third time; the DMDK became the main opposition.

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