Party Split

Panagal ministry survives no-confidence motion

On the first day of the new council, a no-confidence motion against the Raja of Panagal's Justice ministry was defeated 65 to 44.

Periyar leaves Congress and starts the Self-Respect Movement

After his resolution on communal representation was not allowed at the Kanchipuram conference, E. V. Ramasamy left the Congress and began the Self-Respect Movement.

Rajagopalachari resigns from Congress over Pakistan resolution

C. Rajagopalachari left the Congress after his proposals to negotiate with the Muslim League were rejected, and opposed Quit India.

Periyar calls Independence Day a day of mourning

Periyar called for 15 August 1947 to be kept as a day of mourning, a stand Annadurai rejected, deepening the rift between them.

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.

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.

DMK returns to power, Karunanidhi Chief Minister again

After 13 years in opposition, the DMK won the January 1989 assembly election and M. Karunanidhi became Chief Minister for the third time.

AIADMK factions merge under Jayalalithaa

The two AIADMK factions merged and accepted J. Jayalalithaa as general secretary; she became the first woman Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

Vaiko founds the MDMK after split from DMK

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

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.

Sasikala convicted; Edappadi K. Palaniswami becomes Chief Minister

After the Supreme Court restored V. K. Sasikala's conviction, AIADMK legislators chose Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister.

AIADMK factions merge

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

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.

Edappadi K. Palaniswami takes control of the AIADMK

The AIADMK general council made Edappadi K. Palaniswami interim general secretary and expelled O. Panneerselvam.