socio-political conflict in tamil...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter VI
ECLIPSE OF CONGRESS PARTY AND EMERGENCE
OF DRAVIDIAN PARTIES
The Government of India announced to hold the fourth General
elections of Tamil Nadu during February 19671
. This election brought
remarkable changes in the political leadership in the State from Indian
National Congress to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.2
Bhakthavatsalam met with
disastrous defeat though he had longest innings in the Congress Ministry. His
unimaginative handling of the anti-Hindi agitation made the Congress to loose
its hold among the masses. Following the anti-Hindi agitation, Tamil Nadu
faced one of its worst food crisis in 1966 and this too made the Congress
Ministry more and more unpopular and became weak.3
Decline of Congress Power
The Congress Government was bewildered dwindled due to the great
upheaval of the anti-Hindi agitation organised by the opposition parties in the
state. Along with this, the new more problems confronted by them was the
decline of industrial grants due to the new industrial policies perpetuated by
the national Government. Accordingly, the state of Tamil Nadu loosing further
grants of industries as it had already got its national share.4 Besides these, the
important sources of hydel power generation too was in the verge of
insufficiency to meet out the needs for the industries and general consumption
under the bad situation, the national crisis in the food production and its
1 Indian Express, 22 September 1966, p.1.
2 The Hindu, 25 January 1967, p.7.
3 Narendra Subramanian, Ethnicity and Populist Mobilization, New Delhi, 1991, p.187.
4 Ibid., p.191.
195
distribution hit Tamil Nadu from 1964 to 1967 had affected the State’s rice
bowl.5 Now the opposition parties, especially the DMK’s discourse about the
situation had brought an adverse impact upon the general masses against the
Government. They charged the Congress Party that the Nehruvian economic
strategy was irrelevant to the needs of the middle and lower income groups.6
When the economic life of the people was needing under lowest ebb, the
D.M.K. party came for their rescue and asked the Government to reduce the
prices of the commodities in the fair shops considerably. They challenged them
that if their party come to power their ministers would work without payment
till their electoral promises were fulfilled.7 The people of Tamil Nadu too got
much more frustration over the Government as they had the intention of
implementing Hindi stage by stage in the state.8 Though the anti-Hindi
agitation movement got victory it was vehement only in Tamil Nadu and not on
the other states. Hence the Government was not with the plan of suspending
Hindi in the state permanently, but only for the time being aimed at
implementing the anti-Hindi policy. Soon after getting a chance it would be
implemented.9 In the competitive exam conducted by the centres too it was not
ordered to change the mode of the exam and the recruiting board was
conducting the exam as usual. Therefore the people were not in a position to
believe the Government and they gathered behind the atmosphere of the
opposition parties.10
The political changes brought out in the administration of the State
Congress Government also contributed for the defeat of the Congress Party.
5 M.L.A.D., Vol. XXXIII, 1965, p.103.
6 Ibid, Vol.LXIX, 1966, p.580.
7 The Hindu, 15 December 1966.
8 T.N.L.C.D., Vol LXXXI, 1969, p.216.
9 Ramaswamy, A., Rathathil Iyampathu Natkal, Madurai, 1973, pp.22-23.
10 M.L.A.D., Vol .XXIX, 1965, p.614.
196
During the crisis Kamaraj relinquished the Chief Minister’s post and became
the President of the All India Congress party in 1964, as part of a plan to
revitalise the party organisation in response to strong challenges emerging in
many regions, including Tamil Nadu.11
The state party and Government
suffered heavily because of the removal of Kamaraj’s immediate transfer.
M.Bhaktavatsalam, the new substitute of Kamaraj as the Chief Minister, was
not like his predecessor lacked organisational skill. Though he was
descended from an upper caste of Tondaimandala Vellala was known to be
corrupt and distrustful of Tamil nationalist opinion.12
The Tamil Congress’s
cohesion declined further under his leadership, which symbolised for many
Congress men to distance.
Apart from the political sphere, the scarcity of food grains affected the
congress Ministry. The State Government responded to the food crisis by
restricting the transport of food grains to other places and procured it from
the farmers for distribution in ration shops at low prices.13
The imposition of
these restraints with great severity, harassing even stopped people carrying
small amounts of rice for consumption. Nevertheless, many black marketers
circumvented over the Government’s levy and hence the rice supplies dwindled
and food rationing was close to a breakdown by 1967.14
The over levy on food
grains also alienated farmers, who attacked procurement officials in some
places. These problems outraged even many Congress sympathisers, especially
as less wheat was sent to Tamil Nadu and millets were diverted to other states
11
The Hindu, 11 February 1967, 11 March 1967. 12
Narendra Subramanian, op,cit., p.193. 13
M.L.C.D, Vol. LXI, 1965, p.386. 14
Indian Express, 4 February 1967, p.3.
197
in the midst of this crisis.15
The DMK protested the failures in food provision
by demonstrating in front of ration shops.
The language agitations across the state, had shacked the strongest
Congress strongholds like Madurai, Tirunelveli and Coimbatore. These
agitations had aroused the sentiments among them and helped DMK’s growth
in these regions. The DMK party gained a much out of these agitations who
drew people’s main inspiration through the party’s discourse.16
Besides these,
most of the leaders participated in the agitation were grown and became the
second-rung DMK Leaders.17
The Congress regime’s failures in food
distribution was ultimately more costly than its unpopularity on language
demands.18
The Congress Party leaders were of the assumption that their party had
still got the confidence of the public under the image of Kamaraj and of his
able administration would bring their victory in the forth coming general
election of 1967. However under the critical situation, the opposition parties
left no stone unturned in their effort to defeat the Congress coming to
power.19
Their propaganda on anti-Governmental policies and irresponsible
administrations minimised the image of the Congress party among the
masses. Eventually the DMK emerged as the major challenge to the Congress
Party in Tamil Nadu and atlast their defeat in the general election of 1967 had
sealed their fate and paved the way for the thriving of regional-Dravidian
parties in Tamil Nadu20
15
Ibid., 13 February 1967, p.2. 16
The Mail, 21 December 1966. 17
Narendra Subramanian, op.cit., p.194. 18
Sattanathan, A.N., The Dravidian Movement in Tamil Nadu and its Legacy, Madras 1982, p.86. 19
Ganesan. P.C., C.N. Annadurai, New Delhi, 2003, p.95. 20
Report of the Mid-Term Governal Elections In India, 1968-1969, Vol.I, p.170.
198
Emergence of Dravidian Party
The deep root of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu traced back to
the Brahmin and Non-Brahmin conflicts. Hence along with the spirit of Non-
Brahmin organisation, anti Brahmin wave was raged in the Tamil Nadu
politics. Consequently when the Bhaktavatsalam Ministry had gone towards
worst political crisis, the people rallied under the D.M.K. party and believed
that they were the saviour of the occasion and gave them a chance.21
It slowly
felt the pulse and the mood of the political ideas of Tamil Nadu, which was
slowly leaving the antiquity of the national sentimental environment.22
The
North and South political philosophy began to go deep into the political steam
of Tamil Nadu electoral politics.23
The DMK was founded only as a cultural
organisation. Hence the principle of DMK aimed at promoting Tamil language
and culture. Consequently the increasing strength of the party led to its
involvement in the State politics. The political strategy of the DMK was anti-
Congressism. So irrespective of ideologies, the DMK had poll alliances with
the Communist Party of India and the Swatantra Party to overthrow the
Congress Party from power.24
The technique used by the DMK against the Congress rule was
addressing to the people from public platforms. The party prepared a list of
special orators who were called porvaals.25
The party activists chose speakers
from the list for public meetings. These ‘porvaals’ used to write articles on
common problems and served as a bridge between the people and the
21
Ramasamy, A., op.cit., p.185. 22
Ibid., p.187. 23
Palanithurai, Caste Politics and Society in Tamil Nadu, Delhi, 1994, p.38. 24
Jana Sakthi Ponvizha Malar, 1937-87, Madras, 1987, p.24. 25
Veerachamy, R. Porvaal, (war knives), (Tamil), Madras, 1958, p.11.
199
organisation.26
They created awareness in the State against the Congress
Government. The first and foremost techniques of the DMK was to make their
party men to involve in their party men’s functions and making it as a family
function. They considered C.N. Annadurai as their elder brother in the Party
organisation and called him Arignar Anna. The brother culture developed by
the party was an intimate relationships within the organisation.27
In the 1967, election, the DMK did not hesitate to give the ground
promises to the electorates. The food scarcity, the economic crisis, the
spiraling of prices, the non-availability of a steel plant in Tamil Nadu formed
the main theme of Anna’s election propaganda. Several parties came on a
common platform. Swatantra Party leader Rajaji, Muslim League leader
Mohamed Ismail, Forward Block leader Mookaiya Thevar, Thamizharasu
Kazhagam leader M.P. Sivagnanam, Nam Tamilar leader S.P. Adityan, Left
Communist Party leader M.R.Venkataraman and the DMK leaders including
Anna assembled on a common platform challenging congress for a trial of
strength at the polls.28
The DMK election manifesto promised good Governance and clean and
efficient administration. It promised to give the land to the tiller and to set up
a land army to increase food production, to bring down the spiraling prices and
make consumer goods cheaper, to give primary position to Tami Language in
the administration of the state and to protect the regional and cultural interest of
the State.29
The Manifesto took to task the Congress administration for its
errors of omission and commission, for its imprudent policy of investing huge
sums of money in big projects and the consequent tax burden which ultimately
26
Ganesan, P.C., op.cit., p.65. 27
Singaram, I., DMK – Relationship Between Leaders and Members, New Delhi, 1996, p.31. 28
Ganesan, .P.C., op.cit., p.67. 29
Balakrishnan, N., History of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, 1944-1977, Madurai, 1985, p.157.
200
was passed on to the common man. Special emphasise was made in the
manifesto in giving relief to the agriculturists and for setting up a smaller
fertiliser plants which would help food production in the long run.30
The
manifesto made a plea for the introduction of all the fourteen languages of the
country as the media in the Union Public Commission examinations so that the
non-Hindi speaking people may not feel handicapped.31
Annadurai’s promise of
“a measure of rice for a rupee” (Padi Arisi Thittam) 32
captivated the poor
masses who were worst affected by spiraling prices.33
The DMK stood for
socialistic scheme for the economic system with its attractive slogans like “One
sees god in the smiles of the Poor.”34
Dravidians within Indian Union,
safeguarded Dravidian culture and propagated it to the rest of the country.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam promised of debt relief to the poor and middle
class particularly in the rural areas.35
In a public meeting at Tuticorin C.N.
Annadurai, General Secretary of the DMK, appealed the people “to give them a
chance”.36
Under Kamaraj, the Congress leaders on the other hand, organised
public meetings and tried to counter the opposition charges at all levels and in
the meeting at Nagercoil, Kamaraj remarked. Voting opposition to power is the
suicidal of democratic socialism.37
He dubbed the communists as traitors. T.T.
Krishnamachary sarcastically stated that the “DMK lacks maturity to run the
Government.38
30
Ramanujan, K.S., Big Change, Madras, 1967, p.3. 31
Ganesan, P.C., op.cit., p.68. 32
M.L.C.D, Vol. XIII, 1968, p.404. 33
Indian Express, 2 January 1967, p.1. 34
Ramachandran, S. , Anna Speaks, Madras, 1975, pp.6-18. 35
The Hindu, 2 January 1967, p.7. 36
Indian Express, 30 January 1967, p.8. 37
The Hindu, 2 Feb 1967, p.7. 38
Ibid., 30 January 1967, p.6.
201
Fourth General Election
The Congress Party was confronted with severe criticisms on all sides.
The students, labourers, agriculturists, middle classes, and educated wanted to
bring a change in the Tamil Nadu politics. Under the critical situation the
Fourth General Election took place in 1967.39
For the fourth general election
the Government increased the number of Assembly constituencies from 206 to
234 and reduced the parliamentary constituencies from forty one to thirty
nine.40
In the Assembly constitution 775 candidates contested and 127
candidates contested for the Lok Sabha seats.41
C.N. Annadurai announced the
names of 169 party candidates for the State Assembly and eighteen candidates
for parliament.42
From the D.M.K. alliance allotted the following seats for the
allied parties for the Assembly seats as follows: thirty for Swatantra and
Forward Block43
twenty for Left Communists, four for Muslim League, four for
Praja Socialist party and two for Tamilzharasu Kazhagam. It reserved four
seats for S.B. Adityan and his nominees. The Tamil Nadu Toilers Welfare
Party contested for twenty Assembly seats and three parliament seats.44
Supported by Dravida Kazhagam the Congress Party contested almost all the
seats.45
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee allotted one lakh rupees for each
district towards election fund.46
Prominent Congress leaders like T.T.
Krishnamachari and Lal Bahadur Sastri did election propaganda.
C.N.Annadurai who contested for the Lok Sabha from South Madras was
opposed by the Congress candidate K.Gurumurthy, the labour leader.47
39
Report of the Fourth General Election, Vol. III , Madras, 1967, p.375. 40
Indian Express, 24 September 1965, p.3. 41
The Hindu, 25 January 1967, p.7. 42
Ibid., 3 January 1967, p.1 43
Murthi, R.K., Rajaji: Life and Work, New Delhi, 1979, p.124. 44
The Hindu,10 January 1967, p.8. 45
Ibid., 12 February 1967, p.7. 46
Bhargave, B.S., After Nehru, New Delhi,1966, p.33. 47
Ibid., 10 January 1967, p.7.
202
K.Kamaraj who contested from the Virudhunagar constituency was opposed
by Sreenivasan, a student leader and a D.M.K candidate. Bhaktavatsalam, the
Chief Minister, contested from the Sriperumpudur constituency. The election
held on February 1967. The State announced election results on the 23rd
of
February 1967. The Congress faced major setback in Tamil Nadu and lost its
hold and voice. It secured only forty nine seats in the election whereas the
opposition party under Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance got 181 seats.48
Swatantra Party got twenty seats, Left Communist - eleven, right Communist –
two, Samyukka Socialist Party – two, Muslim League– three, Praja Socialist –
four,49
Independents – three and Forward bloc – one seat.50
The D.M.K. as a single majority party among opposition parties,
captured all 25 seats to Lok Sabha. K.Kamaraj was defeated by a D.M.K
student leader P.Srinivasan with a difference of 2,000 votes. M.Bhaktavatsalam
also was defeated by a D.M.K. candidate.51
Thus, born in 1949, the D.M.K as a
political party attained maturity in a period of 18 years under the able
leadership of Annadurai, “the elder brother”.52
The alliance forged by the
D.M.K had got 48.6% votes as against congress which secured 41.2%. Thus
Tamil Nadu has shown the way not only to regional politics but also to politics
of alliance for the first time in India.53
D.M.K obtained an absolute majority
and the congress Ministry submitted its resignation on 23 February 1967.54
48
Bharathy Manokaran, R, Arasiyal Arignar Anna, (Tamil), Chennai, 1998, p.83. 49
Report of the Fourth General Election, Vol.III, Madras, 1967, p.375. 50
Murthi, R.K., op.cit., p.124. 51
Verinder Grover (ed), Election and Politics in India, New Delhi, 1988, p.140. 52
Thandavan, .R, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam , Madras, 1987, p. 33. 53
Ramanujan, K.S.; op.cit., p.53. 54
Indian Express, 24 February 1967, p.1.
203
C.N.Annadurai’s Ministry
For the D.M.K the choice for the Chief Ministership was obvious.
Though elected to the Lok Sabha Annadurai formed the non-Brahmin
Government in Tamil Nadu. His Ministry took office on 6 March 1967.55
It
was a meteoric rise for him from his humble beginning from the weaver town
of Conjeevaram to an eminent stature as Chief Minister in the historic Fort
St.George at Madras. His assumption of office opened a new vista in the
political history of Tamil Nadu.56
The first two years after DMK assumed power witnessed the
implementation of few measures fulfilling their electoral promises. Periyar
E.V.R. had opposed the DMK till it came to power, but was convinced
subsequently. When D.M.K. got victory in the 1967 election, Annadurai did
not rush to meet Rajagopalachariar, who was instrumental in forming the
seven-party combine against the congress; but rushed to Periyar seeking his
blessings. Periyar said that he would not oppose Annadurai if he would
implement the needy measures.57
On 14 April 1967 Annadurai unveiled the
name board of the State secretariat in Tamil as “Tamilaga Arasu” was a
notable measure during Annadurai’s regime.58
On 18 April 1967 the resolution
for the change of the name into Tamil Nadu was introduced in the Legislative
Assembly and it was passed on 23 November 1967.59
On 14 January 1968,
Madras State was renamed as Tamil Nadu which appeared the fulfillment of
his great ambition.60
55
Fortnightly Report, 7 March 1969. 56
Ganesan, .P.C., op.cit., p.69. 57
Parthasarathy, T.M., op.cit., p.486. 58
Ibid., p.162. 59
Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly Quadrennial Review 1967-70, Government of
Tamil Nadu, Madras, 1971, p.63. 60
T.N.S.A.R., 1968-69, p.29.
204
Social Reforms under Annadurai
Soon after assuming power Annadurai brought several social reform in
the state. As a first social measure, he had introduced Self-Respect marriages
by passing a bill in the Legislative Assembly on 28 November.61
The self-
Respect marriages conducted before the act were also granted legal
recognition. Gold-medal policy was introduced for the purpose of encouraging
inter-caste marriages. Forty eight couples received gold medal during 1968-
69.62
His period witnessed the Second World Tamil Conference held in
Madras in 1968. From the fund of the World Tamil Conference, Research
centres on Tirukkural was founded in the Universities of Madras, Annamalai
and Madurai Kamaraj University.63
One Litre Rice for One Rupee Scheme
One litre rice scheme was announced during the 1967 election manifesto
by C.N. Annadurai. This scheme was expanded in many places, and at various
stages, nearly 45 lakhs of people benefitted through this scheme. In May 1967
this scheme was introduced in Chennai, 30 lakhs people were benefitted. In the
second stage it was supplied on 10 July in Coimbatore and Chennai, at Harijan
Students Hostels, Government Hostels, urban organisations and hospitals.
Thirdly, it was distributed in 47 cities near Chennai. Six lakhs people were
benefitted. Through the family card system, 124 lakhs of people received rice
of the whole in Tamil Nadu.64
The DMK administration introduced double
language policy. In colleges Tamil medium was introduced. Free education
61
M.L.A.D., Vol. XII, 1967, p.283. 62
Bharathy Manokaran, R., op.cit., p.112. 63
T.N.L.A.D., Vol XXXV, 1969, p.371. 64
M.L.A.D., Vol.XIII, 1968, p.404.
205
was extended up to college level on the basis of income.65
In law colleges,
three year under graduate system was introduced. Rs 20 lakhs was allotted to
technical education in 1968.66
Rs.6 lakhs was spent to start new colleges,
higher secondary schools and teacher training schools in 1968. 7,200 teachers
were trained to the institutions.67
Within 23 months ten Government Arts
Colleges and nine private Arts Colleges were opened in Tamil Nadu. 2056
boys schools and 381 girls schools were opened during the period of
C.N.Annadurai as Chief Minister.68
Scholarships were given to the students
of the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes and Rs.1,500 to the Backward
caste people for this purpose. Free education was given to the people below
Rs1,500 of their annual family income.69
31,459 primary schools were started
in the whole of Tamil Nadu.70
Home Guard
Home Guard was founded for the purpose of the Village Social Service
on 16 August 1967.71
Rs.10,000 was spent for the Home Guard works during
1967-68. A committee was formed with 1000 members in every district. Most
of the Home Guards worked for the public developments. Accordingly 2500
Home Guard workers in Noth Arcot, 2470 workers in Salem, 2467 workers in
Coimbatore, 2200 workers in Dharmapuri, 1200 workers in the Nilgiris district
joined in the social works. In September 1967, Mrs.Rani Annadurai,
M. Karunanidhi, V.R.Nedunchezian, K.A. Mathiazhagan and Mrs. Sathyavani
65
G.O.Ms.No.1055, Education, 24 April 1967. 66
T.N.L.A.D., Vol IX, 1968, p.185. 67
Ibid., p.190. 68
M.S.A.R., 1967-68, p.193. 69
Bharathy Manokaran R., op.cit.,,p.122. 70
M.L.C.D., Vol.LXXIX, 1969, p.290. 71
M.S.A.R., 1967, p.478.
206
Muthu joined as Home Guard Members and did their service in the
undeveloped area.72
Welfare Works
The Government allotted Rs.6 crores in 1968-69 to the depressed and
other backward classes for hostels, free dress, free land to house site, loan to
commercial purpose and other things.73
For the development of Tamil refugees
from Burma and Ceylon, the Government allotted Rs.3.3/4 crores in the
Nilgiris and North Arcot districts.74
300 acres were allotted to these refugees to
give them job opportunities and house site in North Arcot district. It also
allotted Rs.37 lakhs for house building construction works75
and for
improvement of slums in cities and rehabilitation of the slum dwellers in pucca
terraced buildings.76
Power Schemes
The Annadurai Government took hectic preparation for the generation of
Electricity through various schemes. Despite their efforts, shortage in the
industries and home consumption was confronted in the state. It was adjusted
through the purchase of neighbouring states. In 1967, 1370 Megawatt power
was used to Tamil Nadu industries. When the state could produce only 843
mw it met deficit of power through the purchase of power from Karnataka at
the rate of 4.5 paise per unit. Mysore also supplied power to the industries in
Tamil Nadu.77
The Government allotted Rs.11.75 crore to Ennore power
72
Madras Information, October 1967, p.24. 73
T.N.L.A.D.,Vol.IV, 1968, p.202. 74
Ibid., p.124. 75
Bharathy Manokaran R., op.cit., p.122. 76
Mathrubhutham,R., Dr. M.Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Madras,
1989, p.8. 77
M.L.C.D., Vol.XX, 1968, p.550.
207
scheme and for Basin Bridge power schemes.78
Atomic power station was
started near Kalpakkam on 21 September 1967.79
Rs.4031 crores was allotted
to power schemes in 1968. The following were new schemes started during the
D.M.K. regime.
1. Ennore – 60mw power (first, second class unit)
2. Aliyaru power scheme – 60mw
3. Solaiyaru power scheme 11 unit – 25 mw
4. Kothaiyar power scheme 1 unit -60 mw
5. Kothaiyar power scheme 11 unit – 40 mw80
Veeranam project was started on 30 October 1967. Parambikulam –
Aliyar project was combined by both the Governments of Tamil Nadu and
Kerala State. For irrigation purposes, Government invested Rs.254.89 lakhs in
1967-68 and Rs.236.00 lakhs in 1968-69.81
The additional capacity of 200m.w.
of thermal power was increased to 1,475 mw by the end of 1969-70. In order
to face the rising demand of power many new projects were started.82
Industries under Annadurai
Industries form the important basis for the economic upliftment.
Annadurai Government allotted Rs.2 crores to the silk textile mills and83
best
owed licenses to 3 sugar factories in January 1969. An oil refinery factory was
started at a cost of Rs.44 crores at Manali.84
A Chemical Fertiliser Factory was
78
Bharathy Manokaran R., opcit., p.132. 79
Madras Information, 1967, p.28. 80
T.N.L.A.D., Vol. XVII, 1969, p.50. 81
Tamilnadu Information, 1969, p.26. 82
Official Report of Assembly Debates, 9 December 1968, p.550. 83
Ibid.,Vol.XVI, 1969, p.58. 84
Ibid.,p.55.
208
commissioned started in 1969 at a cost of Rs.60 crores at Tuticorin. Rs.6
crores were invested in the Alangulam Cement Factory.85
Rajapalayam Cement
Factory and Arakkonam Steel Factories were benefitted out of Governmenal
allotment. In 1968-69 the Government allotted Rs.48.40 lakhs to small scale
industries.86
Rs.15 lakhs have been earmarked for the provision of assistance to
the State Textile Corporation in1969-70.87
A steel plant at Salem based on
Kanjamalai and Nevyveli Lignite had been firmly established by Annadurai. A
provision of Rs.10 crores was set apart to open mine at Kanjamalai for
concentration and pelletisation plant.88
Transport and Communication
In order to create more transport facilities, the Annadurai Government
allotted Rs.180 lakhs to the road transport and communication departments in
1967. Rs.126 lakhs was spent for the communication in the 1968-69 budget.
Rs.47 lakhs was spent to the Madras Corporation and Rs.7.5 lakhs was spent to
other municipalities in Tami Nadu Government.89
In 1969 a provision of
Rs.155.58 lakhs was allotted and related to 15 States transport services. In it
Rs.31.5 lakhs was sanctioned in the form of loans and other grants for the
Corporation of Madras for the improvement of roads and construction of over
bridges in the city.90
Welfare works to Fishermen and others
For the welfare of the fishermen, the DMK Government earmarked
several funds. In 1968 the Government distributed trawlers and 175
85
Ibid.,.p.275. 86
M.L.C.D.,Vol.LXXIX, 1969, p.293. 87
Tamilnadu Information, 1969, p.25. 88
Ibid., p.37. 89
T.N.L.A.D. Vol.IX, 1968, p.187. 90
Tamilnadu Information, 1969, p.26.
209
mechanised boats to the through the Co-operative Federation of Fishermen
with financial assistance from the Agricultural Finance Corporation.91
The
mechanized boats had been matched by necessary improvement in landing and
berthing facilities provided at Cuddalore and Nagapattinam fishermen. Besides
these, the Government of India had sanctioned two major harbours in Madras
and Tuticorin at a cost of Rs.6.2 crores. Again the Government offered
Freezing Plant at Ennore which had started exporting prawns to United States
and Japan.92
For the development of the Madras City, Coovum River Alteration
Scheme was inaugurated on 17 September 1967 by allotting Rs.113.50 lakhs.93
Rs.108.72 lakhs was spent to water supply scheme in 1968-69. In 1969-70
Rs.2 crores was envisaged on water supply and drainage schemes to Madras
Corporation.94
Apart from these welfare measures, the Chief Minister had
announced some concession to the people on his birthday on 15th
September
1968. On that day an amount of Rs.3000/- was given to a Government servant
whose family saw the marriage of anyone of the members.95
Therefore in
appreciations of his talent and leadership qualities, the American Government
invited Annadurai in April 1968 to their Country. At the time of American trip,
he visited Italy, Rome, France, Britain, Japan, Singapore etc. and toured the
living places of Negroes. In appreciations of his talents, the Yale University
situated on New Seven City awarded him the title of “Sub fellowship”96
91
T.N.L.A.D., Vol .IX, 1968, p.248. 92
Tamilnadu Information, 1969, p.24. 93
T.N.S.A.R., 1967, p.478. 94
Ibid., p.27. 95
Parathasarathy, T.M., op.cit, p.468. 96
Bharathy Manokaran, R., op.cit., p.122.
210
Last days of Annadurai
The greatness of Annadurai and his social awareness reforms did not last
long as he was fallen in to the grip of sudden illness. Therefore the second
time, he visited America for the treatment of Cancer. However, after his return
he was unable to co-operate with his body condition and again admitted at
Adayar Hospital on 20 January 1969 and died on 2 February 1969. His
untimely death was a great loss and a severe blow to the people of Tamil
Nadu.97
After the death of Annadurai, M.Karunanidhi came to power.
Karunanidhi’s Ministry
Karunanidhi’s Cabinet consisted of the following members.98
V.R. Nedunchezhiyan, K.A. Mathialagan, Satyavanimuthu, N.V.Natarajan,
P.U. Shanmugam, S.Madhavan, S.J. Sadiq Basha, M.Muthuswamy,
S.P.Aditanar, K.V.Subbiah, O.P.Raman and K.Vezhavendan,
K.A. Mathialagan, M.Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu continued in
office with the thirteen members mentioned above as his council of Ministers.
The Karunanidhi Ministry carried on a large number of social and
welfare schemes for the overall improvement of the backward and depressed
classes. In an attempt to create a situation for the economic upliftment of
women and for rural development, the Draividan political formation visualised
implementation of small and medium programmes. Yet, with an eye on
creating basic facilities in Madras, the Government introduced developmental
plans for the city.
97
Ganesan, . P.C., op.cit., p.89. 98
Madras Legislative Assembly Debates, Official Report, 1955-75, p.320.
211
The Government came forward to bring reforms for the people who
were living below the poverty line.99
The basic amenities provided to the slum
families were, neatly paved path ways and access ways, street lighting, water
supply through public fountains.100
Against untouchabilities also, the
Government brought legislations to curb the evil practice.101
In their aspect also
Tamil Nadu stood forefront in taking effective steps in the abolition of
untouchables.102
For the development of women, the D.M.K. party under
Karunanidhi the party advocated widow remarriage by offering various
incentives.
To employ them in fruitful ways, the party established cares homes.
Such measures explicitly suggested the broad mindedness of the DMK party.103
For the promotion of the Backward classes and birth control, the D.M.K.
Government under took yeoman services.104
Tamil Nadu was the first to
introduce a massive family planning programme officially. The family
planning programme aimed at reducing the birth rate and there was a sharp
decline in the death rate on account of better medical facilities and control of
communicable diseases, introduction of preventive public health measures and
the wide use of anti-bacterial drugs.105
The blindness was considered as a
burden to the society because the affected have lost their eye sight. The blind
persons were neglected totally in the rural areas and they had to find their
comforts in the lonely corners of their household. Dr. Karunanidhi Free Eye
99
T.N.S.A.R., 1972,-73, p.469. 100
Tamil Arasu, 16 July 1970, p.16. 101
Ibid., 1974, p.10. 102
Gowmarieswari.S. Kalaignarin Sathani Kalanjiam, (Tamil), Madras, 1997, p.8. 103
DMK Election Manifesto, 1975, p.301. 104
Tamil Arasu, 15 July 1970, p.17. 105
G.O.No.2 549, Health and Family Planning, 30 October 1970.
212
Camps benefitted over 42,039 such persons to have eyesight by availing free
medical aid in eye camps.106
The Government of Tamil Nadu launched a Government of India
sponsored Special Nutrition Programme in 1970 to combat mal-nutrition
among the vulnerable sections of the population in urban slums. Under this
programme, pregnant women, lactating mothers and pre-school children
belonging to the low income groups in these slum clearance areas, were given
annually a nutritious free food supplement for 30 days. Under this scheme
1,40,000 beneficiaries were covered in Madras.107
Besides the welfare reforms taken out by Karunanidhi, the Chief
Minister had taken measures to protect the Tamil language by passing the
Tamil Nadu official language Act in 1968 by which the implementation of the
Tamil scheme in all Government offices was intensified during 1968. In
accordance with the resolution of the Government on the language issue in
Legislature on 23 January 1968, intensive measures were taken up for
implementing the Tamil scheme in all the Government offices.108
The second
and third stages of the Tamil scheme have been introduced in all the offices of
the Heads of Departments with effect from 27 September 1967. The Director
of Tamil Development undertook extensive tours in the State and geared up the
implementation of the Tamil scheme in Government office.109
In accordance
with the policy of the Government to introduce Tamil medium in college
courses, thirty-one text books on science subjects for B.Sc. courses were
published during 1960-1970.110
106
Gowmarieswari.S., op.cit., p.7. 107
Tamil Arasu, Aug 1970, p.16. 108
T.N.S.A.R., 1969-70, pp.306-307. 109
Senthil Selvan, Kalaignar Oru Kalai Ilakkiyam, Madras,1970, p.8. 110
T.N.S.A.R., 1969-70, p.210.
213
Reform in school education
By imparting quality education, the Karunanidhi Government thought
that it was imperative to bestow buildings to the schools that would create
proper environments. Hence, needy school buildings were constructed through
Governmental subsidy,111
public donations and school management
participation. During 1970-71 the Government raised the grant from Rs.4,000
to Rs.17,000. In addition to Government allotment, money was raised though
lottery schemes and social development programmes.112
A regional Braille press
has been set up at Poonamalle under the administrative control of the principal.
The press undertook the printing in Braille and supplied textbooks in regional
languages – Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.113
This was a
Government of India project to serve the four southern states of Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Mysore and Andhra Pradesh. Teachers from these states were trained
with a view to handle classes intended for the blind students.114
Development in Higher Education
In the Higher educational field too, the DMK Ministry carried out a
large number of reforms. A department for legal studies was created in 1970
with the purpose of the legal education. The first batch students of the newly
introduced B.G.C. Law course had appeared for this Examination in April
1970.115
The expansion of technical education during the earlier two plan
periods in Tamil Nadu had been quite phenomenal and the growth rate of
engineering has reached 3.7 per 1,00,000 of population in Tamil Nadu as
against the all India figure of 1-6. However, in the context of the widespread
111
T.N.S.A.R.,1970-71, p.220. 112
Tamil Arasu, 1September 1971, p.36. 113
G.O.No. 797, Health and family Planning, 8 April 1970. 114
T.N.S.A.R., 1970-71, pp.4-5. 115
G.O.No.530, Health, 14 March 1920, p.6.
214
unemployment among engineers, the general consents was that there should be
no further quantitative expansion of technical education and that future
schemes should aim at the consolidation of the existing institutions.116
The
Department of Technical Education decided to start job-oriented and
diversified courses to suit the needs of the country. The ultimate motive was to
find suitable job immediately for the degree and diploma holders on
completion of their courses.117
Next to technical education, measures were also taken to improve the
standard of education in arts and science colleges. The Director of Collegiate
Education was the administrative head of the Department of Collegiate
Education. The subjects of public Library and Adult Education were
transferred to the Directorate of School Education with effect from 23 October
1969. The post of the special officer for libraries was also transferred under the
control of the Director of School Education, Madras with effect from 23
October 1969. Government started six new arts colleges under their
management during 1969-70 as against ninety two in 1968-69 and the number
of students in Pre-University Course (P.U.C.) increased to 19,502 as against
3,784 in 1968-69. The total number of training colleges in the State continued
to be twenty-three and in it for Government seven and sixteen aided. There
were a total number of 1,82,792 students were admitted in the training
colleges.118
Public Transport
The public transport system during Karunanidhi Government was
steady with all-round expansion by the activities of the department and
116
G.O.No.616, Public, 17 March 1970, p.1. 117
Ibid., 22 December 1964, p.3. 118
Popular Ministers in Tamil Nadu 1971-74, p.267.
215
improvement in its services. It’s strength had been increased from March 1969
to March 1970. The peak hours services were continued to be operated to ease
the congestion. The department earned Rs.12,59,87,270.63 on sale of tickets
during 1970. The first Double Deckar was introduced in Madras -
Tiruchirappalli route on 17 April 1969. The first night-express service was
introduced in the Madras-Madurai route on 1 May 1969. Separate buses for
boy and girl students were operated for the convenience of the college students
and teachers.119
Road Transport
During these annual plans from 1966-67 to 1968-69, a sum of Rs.500
lakhs was spent on road development and the tentative outlay of the fourth plan
for this work amounted to 1,503 lakhs. The road system in Tamil Nadu as on
1971 consisted of a total length of 66,929 kilometers of which more than two-
thirds formed surfaced roads.120
While 1,804 kilometers of road came under
National Highways whose maintenance was the responsibility of the Central
Government, the remaining 65,125 kilometers of road come under State
Highways and District Municipal and Panchayat roads.121
Dairy development
During the year 1969-70, the Dairy Development Department continued
to lay special emphasis to augment milk collection from rural areas, to ensure a
dependable source of subsidiary income to the rural community and also to
ensure supply of good milk at reasonable prices to the cities. To achieve these
objectives, two major departments of milk projects – one at Madras and the
119
Tamil Arasu, November 1975, p.64. 120
The Perspective Plan for TamilnaduTowards a Better Transport Network, 1972-88,
p.21176. 121
T.N.S.A.R.,1971-72, p.37.
216
other at Madurai and a number of other dairies owned and operated by co-
operative milk supply societies were augmented.122
Agricultural reforms
The Karunanidhi regime witnessed failure of seasonal rains and acute
scarcity of drinking water all over the State. Therefore the Government
sanctioned a crash programme of drought relief works for providing drinking
water supply to ninety-four plants in various districts of the State at a total
estimated cost of Rs.110.62 lakhs.123
Under this programme water supply was
effected to the affected places by extending supply from the existing water
supply main by putting down bore wells, tube wells and deepening the existing
wells and providing new wells etc.124
In the field of agriculture the
following schemes were continued during 1971.
Under the special minor irrigation programme, Tamil Nadu Government
spent in 1973-74 as much Rs.409.92 lakhs. The target for the year 1974 was
727 works creating new ayacut of 25,750 acres, besides stabilising irrigation
for 61,250 acres of existing ayacut.125
With the allotted amount of Rs409.92
lakhs for the special minor irrigation programme for 1973-74, as many as 725
works were targeted to the completed creating a new ayacut of 25.750 acres
besides stabilizing irrigation for 61.250 acres of existing ayacut.126
Electricity to Villages
Tamil Nadu Electricity Board undertook the stupendous task of carrying
power to villages in particular to pump sets and it continued to have a lead over
122
T.N.S.A.R.,1974-75, p.20. 123
T.N.S.A.R.,1975, p.4. 124
Ibid., pp.258-59. 125
T.N.S.A.R., 1974-75, p.25. 126
Popular Ministers in Tamilnadu 1921-74, p.18.
217
all other states in rural electrification. Preference was invariably given in
extending supply to agricultural pump sets which tended to increase food
production. During 1969-70, electricity was extended to 10.016 villages and
hamlets and 57,641 agricultural pump sets were connected with power in the
Board’s area. There were about 42,229 towns, villages and hamlets which
enjoyed the benefits of electricity at the end of 1970.127
Industries
The Government of India, with an investment of over Rs.370 crores in
their projects played a crucial role in the industrial development of the state.
These projects have largely been responsible for the generation of considerable
industrial activity.128
The Integral Coach Factory at Perambur responsible to the
growing need for the improved types of railway coaches with better amenities.
The heavy pressure boiler project at Tiruchirappalli, perhaps the largest
technical engineering workshop in the State, specializes in the manufacture of
steam generators and boiler house equipments. The Small Arms Factory at
Tiruchirappalli and the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi cater to the defense
needs of the country.129
Salem Steel Plant under Karunanidhi
During Karunanidhi’s period, the most important of the projects
established in the State in the public sector was the Salem Steel Plant, which
has been approved by the Government of India for implementation during the
Fourth Plan period. This project paved the way for a further development of a
variety of engineering industries in the State.130
Following this, a steel casting
127
T.N.S.A.R.,1969-70, p.230. 128
Ibid., p.286. 129
Tamil Arasu, 1 July 1970, p.27 . 130
T.N.S.A.R., 1972-73, p.34.
218
plant with an initial annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes of steel billets was being
established at Arakonam. The plant was estimated to cost Rs.6.53 crores and
was commissioned in 1971.131
The State’s first cement plant in the public
sector was commissioned at Alangulam near Rajapalayam. The rated annual
capacity of the plan was four lakhs tones initially.132
State Autonomy
M.Karunanidhi as Chief Minister appealed to the Central Government
that implementation of changes in the Indian constitution would form the basis
for strengthening and increasing its prosperity and that it would contribute to
develop the languages of states to preserve and protect the different cultures, to
foster good relations among the states to promote healthy relationship between
the state and the Centre and to improve the economic condition of India.133
Subsequently in 1971, in the election manifesto, the DMK announced that
though the constitution of India is described as a federal one, the balance is
more tilted towards the Centre, and hence the State is not able to function in the
administrative and financial spheres. Only powers as are necessary for the
Centre to preserve the strength of India should be assigned to the states,
without impairing the ideal of a strong India and for this purpose, the
constitution should be amended. The DMK would seek support on an All India
level to the movement for state Autonomy.134
After having consolidated its
position to run the Government again, the DMK demanded state autonomy and
a federation type of Government at the centre.135
For that the resolution was
passed by the DMK General Council urging the Union Government to amend
131
Tamil Arasu, 1 July 1972, p.12. 132
T.N.S.A.R.,1969-71, p.52, 133
Tamil Arasu, 1973, p.20. 134
T.N.S.A.R.,1971-72, p.221. 135
Ibid., p.230.
219
the constitution so as to provide for a federal rule (cootatchi) at the Central and
Autonomy (Suyatchi) for the states. But this was rejected by the Prime
Minister who was also the leader of the congress (I).136
Assembly Election and New Legislations
After the fourth General Elections, the first meeting of the Assembly
was held on 15 March 1967 and therefore, its term was to expire 14 March
1972.137
But Cabinet recommended for the dissolution of the Assembly with
effect from 5 January 1971 seeking a fresh mandate from the people. The
Cabinet consisted of the following members138
, V.R. Nedunchezhiyan,
K. Anbazhagan, N.V. Natarajan, Satyavanimuthu, P.U. Shanmugam,
S.Madhavan, S.J. Sadiq Basha, S.P. Aditanar, A.P. Dharmalingam, K.Rajaram,
O.P.Raman, S.Ramachandran and M. Kannappan.
Sethu Samudram Project
Soon after assuming power the DMK Government under Karunanidhi
gave much preference to the Sethu Samudram project. The object of the Sethu
Samudram project was to connect the Gulf of Mannar with the Palk Bay in
order to shorten and improve the sea route between theWest and the East coasts
of India. Through this canal, ships up to 30 draft can navigate with safety and
avoid going in a round about route around and south of Ceylon, which is
vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.139
The Government of India carried out the final investigations regarding
the viability of the scheme in May 1965. With the assistance of a special
Engineering circle, Chief Minister Karunanidhi forwarded his report to the
136
Ibid., 24 November 1970. 137
Popular Ministers in Tamilnadu 1921-74, p.27. 138
Report of the Fifth General Election in Tamilnadu, 1971, p.26. 139
Tamil Arasu, 5 July 1971, p.41.
220
Government of India in June 1968. R. Natarajan, I.A.S., submitted a separate
report indicating that the Sethu Samudram project was economically viable and
technically feasible.140
Parambikulam- Azhiyar Project
The next important concentration of the DMK Government was the
Parambikulam - Azhiyar project, a multi-valley project that contemplated the
utilisation of water and power resources of the inter-state rivers in the Western
Ghats of India for the benefit of Tamil Nadu and Kerala State. The project
integrated eight west- flowing rivers by constructing reservoirs and diversion
works across them and inter-connecting them by means of tunnels. The
estimated cost of the project was Rs.6,753 lakhs.141
Solayar Dam
Following the Azhiyar project, Karunanidhi Government concentrated
upon Solayar Dam. Accordingly a dam across the Solayar River within Tamil
Nadu was constructed for storing the surplus flows in the river after meeting
the requirements of the Kerala. This was the highest dam project and the
height being 345 feet.
The DMK Ministry had completed the work of inter-connecting tunnel
(8,390 feet long) between Solayar and Parambikulam Valleys and other works
completed relating to Parambikulam Dam, Parambikuilam Tunnel, Turacadavu
Dam, Sarkarapatty Tunnel, Aliyar Dam, Tirumurthi Dam and Contour Canal.
Tekkadi Dam was augmented as per the decisions taken along with the
discussion of Chief Minister of Kerala and Union Minister for Irrigation in
1969.142
140
Ibid., p.42. 141
T.N.S.A.R., 1969-70, p.228. 142
Ibid., p.229.
221
Tussle with MGR
Karunanidhi’s control over the Party was challenged by Maruthur
Gopalan Ramachandran143
best known by his initials M.G.R. one of the south
India’s most popular film stars. M.G.R. with his aura of Cinematic glamour,
personality and image of philanthropist, managed to sway the people away
from the fold of the DMK.144
Despite MGR’s significance in attracting voters to the DMK, Annadurai
had given MGR no formal party posts and did not include him in his cabinet,
on the argument that MGR was fully occupied with his movie career. As
Karunanidhi was not the undisputed party leader145
as Annadurai had been, he
was more wary of potential competitors, none more popular than MGR. The
exact reasons contributing to the decline of friendship between Karunanidhi
and Ramachandran were yet to be publicly made known.146
Although apparently unrelated to intraparty conflicts, the issue of
prohibition is also mentioned as a possible bone of contention between 143
Thandavan, R., op.cit., pp.47-48. MGR was born in a white collar professional Malayali
family that was impoverished by the death of MGR’s father while MGR was still a baby.
The town of Kumbakonam where his family lived through much of his childhood is
located in the most intricately stratified part of Tamil Nadu, is the Caveri valley. MGR’s
early experience urged people to accept claims that he intimately understood the plight of
the poor and helped him depict the typical signs of dominance in Tamil Society. Yet his
imposition as Malayaee from a formerly white collar family placed him somewhat beyond
the pale of the caste and class jealousies central to plebeian Tamil society. This helped his
portray himself as a paternal arbiter of such jealousies. His family’s poverty played in
films MGR became the most popular Tamil film actor from 1950s to the mid 1970s MGR
came in contact with many Dravidianists. He met Annadurai and become closely
associated with all he had, with his personal chairman, helped with Karunanidhi, who was
the script writer. Karunanidhi helped to bring MGR over to the DMK from Congress.
MGR primarily addressed his public through his films from 1945 MGR was performing
important roles for the DMK. He was the propagator of the DMK ideals. MGR’s films
symbolize the Congress as a dictator and eroded the affection and faith between the
Congress leaders and the people. Also MGR had been the backbone of the DMK’s
financial strength. He had also organised well over 20,000 manrams with politic cultural
purposes in his name all over Tamil Nadu. In the name of MGR, DMK got more votes. 144
Narenda Subramanian, op.cit., p.244. 145
Hindustan Times, 25 October 1972. 146
Merun Jones, MGR: Balanced and unbelievable, Delhi, 1979, p.32.
222
Karunanidhi and MGR.147
Prohibition had existed in Tamil Nadu for thirty
three years when the DMK Government decided to scrap it in its efforts to
mobilize additional funds for developmental activities. Abolishing prohibition
was complicated by the adament opposition of Kamaraj, by the repeated
support the late C.N. Annadurai had given to prohibition and the opposition of
the two electoral partners of the DMK the Muslim League and the Tamil Arasu
Kazhagam.148
Inside the DMK General Council, MGR had opposed the lifting
of the dry law. It was widely believed that Ramachandran’s opposition
stemmed from his fear that the poor and the lower middle class, who spent their
limited entertainment funds on movies, might substitute liquor for films.149
Not satisfied with the victory obtained on the issue of the prohibition, it
was alleged that Karunanidhi had also sought to weaken MGR’s position
within the cinema industry by trying to launch his son, M.K.Muthu as a new
star and projected him as another MGR. In this endeavour Karunanidhi went to
the extent to taking up his old job and wrote the script for Muthu’s film.150
In
fact Muthu had copied all the mannerisms of MGR including the hair style.
Karunanidhi had also arranged for the sprouting up of Muthu Rasigar
Manrams. Even before Muthu’s film was released in many places, he tried to
convert the MGR Manrams into Muthu Manrams.151
When MGR protested
against such moves. Karunanidhi in a clever move, made an appeal to dissolve
all Muthu Manrams. The point was that if his son’s fan clubs were dissolved
the next step would be to scrap the Manrams of MGR too.152
Also Karunanidhi
147
The Hindu, 2 October 1972. 148
Ibid., 11 October 1972. 149
Thandavan., P., op.cit., p.64. 150
Muthu’s First Film, Pillaiyo Pillai, September, 1972. 151
Patriot, 27 September 1972. 152
The Hindu, 2 October 1972.
223
supported Shivaji Ganesan (another movies star belonging to the Congress) in
certain cinema ventures.153
As the treasurer to the DMK, MGR had striven to perform his duties
without being a ‘yes’ man to the ‘Dictator’ of the Party. MGR wanted proper
accounting of the huge funds of the party and wanted to know the sources of
such income. What MGR asked for the removal of certain money bag’s
influences over the party and the proper maintenance of party finances which
had grown enormously.154
MGR was kept in the Dark about the amount
collected at the Madurai Party Conference in 1972.155
Felling this neglect
MGR had called for the arrest of dictatorial trends and personality cults
in the Party in his Pongal Day message of 14 January 1972.156
Emergence of ADMK
The emergence of the ADMK was the outcome of factional quarrels
within the DMK when Intra-party conflicts, rigidity and factions began to
appear. Whatever be the reason the right time had arrived for an open
confrontation between the organisational forces headed by Karunanidhi and the
forces of non-political personalities symbolised by MGR. The clash had
ideological, organisational and personality dimensions and all rolled into one.
MGR wanted to focus the public attention on something concrete and visible.
And he rightly perceived and attacked Karunanidhi’s faction’s Achilles heel-
corruption.157
On October 8, 1972, MGR, while addressing a meeting,
organised to celebrate the late Anna’s sixty-fourth birth anniversary, demanded
that all DMK town, taluk and district secretaries to disclose their financial
153
Thandavan, op.cit., p.53. 154
The Hindu, 30 September 1972. 155
Narendra Subramanian, op.cit., pp.244-245. 156
Thandanvan, op.cit., p.54. 157
Ibid.,p.55.
224
assets. People were eager to know how bunglows and cars came to the
ministers and their relatives after the DMK came to power.158
MGR criticised
the DMK Government for lifting prohibition and said that if his views were not
given due thought at the upcoming meeting of the DMK General Council, he
would not hesitate to go to the public to gain their support for his demand.
MGR’s statement was clearly a transgression of party discipline, a
violation of the party’s policy of democratic centralism and a direct challenge
to Karnanidhi.159
Immediately, 12 district Secretaries of the party and 8
Ministers, who were members of Executive Committee, assembled in the Sate
Guest House at Madras on 9 October 1978 and resolved for the suspension of
MGR in the interest of party discipline and party ideals.160
The resolution was
submitted to the General Secretary V.R.Nedunchezhian and the President,
M.Karunanidhi. Then Nedunchezhian suspended MGR from all party posts
and even from the primary membership of the DMK. This move was intended
to stop MGR from attending the General Council meeting on 12 October 1972.
But when people heard this decision (Crowds of MGR fans) ran through city
street attacking DMK flags and pictures of Karunanidhi. Violent incidents,
agitations and protest throughout Tamil Nadu had paralysed the DMK
administration for well over a fortnight.161
On 15 October 1972 MGR announced his decision to form a new
political party in deference to the wishes of his supporters of 20,000 Rasigar
Manrams. On 18 October 1972 MGR christened his party the Anna Dravida
Munnetra Kazagam.162
He declared that his party would faithfully follow the
158
Indian Express, 28 October 1972. 159
The Hindu, 30 October 1972. 160
The Hindu, 11 October 1972. 161
Fortnightly Report, 20 November 1972. 162
The Hindu, 15 October 1972.
225
principles and politics laid down by the Late Annadurai. By the end of October
1972 the ADMK began to functions as a viable political party. The formation
of the new party had an electrifying effect on the masses of Tamil Nadu. MGR
disclosed that he was expelled from the party because he asked for the accounts
of the party.163
It is true that the intra party factions had disrupted the
ideological and organisational leadership and programmatic energies of the
party. The party was renamed the ‘All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam’ on 12 September 1976.164
The party contested the sixth general
elections to the Lok Sabha in 1977 and won 18 out of the 20 seats contested.
In the same year in the election to the Legislative Assembly, the party obtained
126 seats out of 234 seats and obtained power.165
Thus, the end of Congress administration in Tamil Nadu marked a
turning point in the political progress of the Tamils. In spite of the helplessness
of the situation, the people generally felt that the continued congress misrule
was responsible for all the ills of the time. The DMK Party gave high promises
and came with the expectation of the masses. The general election of 1967
brought the DMK party in the State Assembly a thunderous majority which
ultimately led to form the Ministry under the headship of C.N.Annadurai. After
the death of Annadurai in 1969 Karunanidhi functioned as Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu from 1969 till a new dominant opposition party emerged. This
was due to the split in the DMK in 1972 and the foundation of new party, the
AIADMK under MGR.
163
Thandavan, op.cit., p.59. 164
Jegathirakshakan,S., MGR – A Phenomenon, Madras, 1984, pp.49-50. 165
Popular Ministers in Tamil Nasdu, 1921-74, pp.28-29.