Tamil Nadu Timeline

GovernanceNational and Dravidian movements

A. Subbarayalu Reddiar becomes first Premier of Madras

· Chennai

A. Subbarayalu Reddiar of the Justice Party took office as the first Chief Minister (Premier) of the Madras Presidency.

After the Justice Party victory, the Governor invited the party to form the ministry. P. Theagaraya Chetty, the party leader, declined the post, and A. Subbarayalu Reddiar became the first Premier of the Madras Presidency. He held office for a few months before resigning in 1921 on grounds of ill health. His ministry marked the start of responsible ministers handling transferred subjects in the Presidency.

Related events

  1. 1919

    1. 23 Dec 1919ChennaiLegislation

      Government of India Act 1919 introduces dyarchy

      Based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, the Act introduced dyarchy in the provinces, including Madras, transferring some subjects to elected ministers.

  2. 1920

    1. Nov 1920ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party wins first Madras Legislative Council election

      The Justice Party won the first election held under the Montagu-Chelmsford dyarchy reforms in the Madras Presidency.

  3. 1921

    1. 11 Jul 1921 to 3 Dec 1926ChennaiGovernance

      Raja of Panagal becomes Premier

      Panaganti Ramarayaningar, the Raja of Panagal, succeeded Subbarayalu Reddiar and led two Justice Party ministries until 1926.

  4. 1923

    1. 1923ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party wins second council election

      The Justice Party retained power in the 1923 Madras Legislative Council election despite internal dissent.

  5. 1926

    1. 4 Dec 1926 to 27 Oct 1930ChennaiPolitics

      P. Subbarayan forms independent ministry

      After the Swaraj Party won the 1926 election but declined office, P. Subbarayan formed a ministry of independents with nominated support.

  6. 1930

    1. 27 Oct 1930 to 4 Nov 1932ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party returns to power under B. Munuswamy Naidu

      The Justice Party won the 1930 election, boycotted by the Congress, and B. Munuswamy Naidu became Premier.

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