Published Jun 27, 2026 | 1:33 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 27, 2026 | 1:37 PM
MK Stalin and Vaiko during happier days. (File Photo)
Synopsis: The MDMK cited attempts during the 2026 Assembly election to weaken it while announcing the decision to quit the DMK alliance. It also highlighted attempts to install the AIADMK in power, despite this going against the people’s mandate. One of the MDMK MLAs skipped the General Council meeting after telling Vaiko that he was not keen on quitting his post.
The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) on Saturday officially announced its decision to withdraw from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led secular progressive alliance, bringing to an end its nine-year association with the coalition.
The decision was taken at the party’s 32nd General Council meeting held in Chennai under the leadership of party presidium chairman A Arjunaraj, with general secretary Vaiko addressing party members.
In a strongly-worded resolution, the party said it had remained in the DMK-led alliance since December 2017 on ideological grounds to oppose communal forces and defend the core principles of the Dravidian movement. However, MDMK alleged that during the 2026 Assembly election, attempts were made within the alliance to weaken the party’s independent identity and dilute its 32-year political legacy. The party further claimed that efforts were allegedly made to install the AIADMK in power despite the party securing only 47 seats and this went against the people’s mandate.
Besides announcing its exit from the alliance, the party passed several political and policy resolutions.
The MDMK welcomed the new Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and urged the government to uphold secularism, social justice, state rights and Tamil identity without compromise.
The party strongly opposed Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project and criticised suggestions for a new tribunal on the Cauvery issue, warning that such a move could weaken Tamil Nadu’s long-standing legal position. It also urged the Union government to completely scrap NEET, citing rising student suicides across Tamil Nadu and India, and demanded that Tamil Nadu be exempted from the exam if a nationwide rollback was not possible.
When it came to the education policy, the party backed Tamil Nadu’s continued opposition to the three-language formula under the National Education Policy and asked the state government to continue defending the existing two-language policy while securing pending education funds from the Centre.
Among other resolutions, the party welcomed the Tamil Nadu government’s move to regulate TASMAC revenue collection and praised the closure of 717 liquor shops near schools, temples and bus stands while demanding phased prohibition. It also urged the government to permanently oppose reopening the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi and demanded the Centre withdraw plans to sell additional shares in Neyveli Lignite Corporation NLC.
The party additionally sought waiver of farm loans beyond the recently announced crop loan relief, demanded reduction in petrol, diesel and LPG prices, called for immediate action to bring back 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen currently stranded in Sri Lanka, urged filling of nearly five lakh vacant government posts in Tamil Nadu, sought permanent appointments for electricity board gangmen workers, and reiterated its demand for justice for Sri Lankan Tamils through an international investigation into war crimes.
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TM Rajendran, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA from Kadayanallur, said on Saturday he had stayed away from the General Council meeting after informing party leadership that he was not keen on resigning from his post. All MDMK MLAs had been elected on DMK tickets and would have to quit their posts if they decided to leave the alliance.
In a public clarification issued after meeting general secretary Vaiko at the party headquarters ‘Thaayagam’ in Chennai on June 26, Rajendran said he had an emotional discussion with the MDMK leader and had urged him not to take any decision involving his resignation from office.
Rajendra said the people of Kadayanallur constituency, cutting across party, caste and religion, had continuously expressed their support after electing him.
He said he respects whatever decision the party and Vaiko take regarding alliance matters, but added that later on Friday night he had received an instruction from Vaiko which he felt he would not be able to carry out at the General Council meeting. Because of this, Rajendran said he chose not to attend the meeting and informed the party leadership about his absence through the party treasurer.
Stating that his loyalty and affection towards Vaiko remained unchanged over the last 42 years, Rajendran said his only intention was to protect the trust placed in him by voters and ensure that neither he nor the party leadership carries any stain in public life in the years ahead.
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(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
