Party Founding

Madras Native Association founded

One of India's earliest Indian political bodies, the Madras Native Association, was set up by Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty.

Madras Mahajana Sabha formed

The Madras Mahajana Sabha, an early political association of educated Indians in the Madras Presidency, was formed in 1884.

Madras delegates at the first Indian National Congress

Of the 72 delegates at the first session of the Indian National Congress in Bombay, 22 came from the Madras Presidency.

Madras Dravidian Association formed

The Madras United League, founded by C. Natesa Mudaliar in 1912, was renamed the Madras Dravidian Association, an early non-Brahmin political body.

Annie Besant launches the Home Rule League at Adyar

Annie Besant founded the All India Home Rule League at Adyar, Madras, to campaign for self-government within the British Empire.

South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party) founded

Non-Brahmin leaders including C. Natesa Mudaliar, T. M. Nair and P. Theagaraya Chetty founded the South Indian Liberal Federation, later known as the Justice Party.

First May Day celebration in India

Singaravelar organised the first May Day celebration in India at Madras and launched the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.

Singaravelar chairs first Communist conference at Kanpur

M. Singaravelu, a labour leader from Madras, presided over the founding convention of the Communist Party of India in Kanpur.

Subhas Chandra Bose received in Madurai

After launching the Forward Bloc, Subhas Chandra Bose visited Madurai, where Muthuramalinga Thevar organised his reception.

N. Sivaraj becomes first president of the Scheduled Castes Federation

At Nagpur, Madras Dalit leader N. Sivaraj was elected first president of the new All-India Scheduled Castes Federation founded with Ambedkar.

Justice Party becomes Dravidar Kazhagam at Salem

Meeting at Salem, the Justice Party, now led by Periyar, took the name Dravidar Kazhagam and gave up contesting elections.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founded

Breaking away from Periyar's Dravidar Kazhagam, C. N. Annadurai and his associates formed the DMK in Madras.

Rajaji founds the Swatantra Party

Leaving the Congress, C. Rajagopalachari launched the Swatantra Party, which went on to ally with the DMK against Congress.

E. V. K. Sampath leaves the DMK and forms the Tamil National Party

E. V. K. Sampath split from the DMK and founded the Tamil National Party with the poet Kannadasan.

MGR expelled from DMK; AIADMK founded

After demanding that DMK ministers declare their assets, M. G. Ramachandran was expelled and launched the Anna DMK.

Hindu Munnani founded in Tamil Nadu

The Hindu Munnani, a Hindutva organisation set up with RSS backing, was founded in Tamil Nadu by Ramagopalan.

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.

Pattali Makkal Katchi founded

S. Ramadoss founded the Pattali Makkal Katchi, a party rooted in the Vanniyar Sangam and the 1987 reservation agitation.

Vaiko founds the MDMK after split from DMK

Expelled from the DMK, Vaiko founded the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK).

Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam founded

The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) was formed as a mass organisation to defend the rights of Muslims in the state.

G. K. Moopanar forms Tamil Maanila Congress

Opposing the Congress's alliance with the AIADMK, G. K. Moopanar led a breakaway to form the Tamil Maanila Congress.

K. Krishnasamy founds Puthiya Tamilagam

Former MLA K. Krishnasamy founded Puthiya Tamilagam, a regional political party in Tamil Nadu.

Vijayakanth founds the DMDK

Actor Vijayakanth launched the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam at Madurai.

AIADMK factions merge

The Palaniswami and Panneerselvam factions of the AIADMK reunited, with Panneerselvam becoming Deputy Chief Minister.

Kamal Haasan founds Makkal Needhi Maiam

Actor Kamal Haasan launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam party at a public meeting in Madurai.

T. T. V. Dhinakaran founds the AMMK

Expelled AIADMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran launched the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam at Melur as a breakaway party.

Vijay founds Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

Film actor Vijay launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, announcing he would leave cinema for politics.