The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has formally withdrawn from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), ending a political association that the party said had lasted for nine years.
The decision, cleared through a resolution at the party’s General Council meeting on Saturday, comes amid continuing political realignments in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections. The MDMK said it would decide on its future electoral alliances at an appropriate time.
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MDMK cites ideological differences and post-poll developments
In its resolution, the party said it had remained with the DMK-led alliance to prevent what it described as “communal political forces” from gaining ground in Tamil Nadu and to uphold the principles of the Dravidian movement.
The MDMK also claimed that attempts were made during the 2026 Assembly election to weaken its independent political identity despite its 32-year political journey. It said the party nevertheless stayed in the alliance and contested the election.
The resolution referred to remarks made by MDMK General Secretary Vaiko before the election results, saying he had predicted a decisive mandate from the people of Tamil Nadu.
Party questions post-election political developments
The MDMK alleged that political developments after the election were inconsistent with the public mandate.
“It is an open secret that arrangements were made to install the AIADMK, which had won only 47 Assembly seats, in power by forging an alliance with Hindutva communal forces. As a result, the claims that the Secular Progressive Alliance was an alliance founded on ideology and principles were rendered meaningless,” the resolution stated.
According to the party, its office-bearers and cadre had expressed the view that it should no longer remain part of the DMK-led alliance.
“Therefore, this General Council resolves that the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) shall withdraw from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance,” the resolution said.
The General Council also resolved that the party would take a decision on future electoral alliances closer to the next elections.
Tamil Nadu alliance equations continue to shift
The MDMK noted that several former constituents of the Secular Progressive Alliance, including the Congress, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), had exited the alliance after the Assembly elections and extended support to the TVK, which subsequently formed the government.
The results of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, announced on May 4, saw the TVK emerge as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly. The DMK won 59 seats, while the AIADMK secured 47.
Other parties that entered the Assembly included the Congress (5), Pattali Makkal Katchi (4), CPI (2), CPI(M) (2), IUML (2), VCK (2), DMDK (1), AMMK (1) and the BJP (1). Voter turnout stood at 85.1 per cent.
The MDMK’s exit adds another chapter to the political realignment that has followed the Assembly election, with the party keeping its options open ahead of future electoral contests.
