Tamil Nadu Politics

AIADMK logo

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)

அனைத்திந்திய அண்ணா திராவிட முன்னேற்றக் கழகம்

Founded by MGR and later led by J. Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK is the DMK's main rival and has ruled the state for the longest period.

About

The AIADMK was founded on 17 October 1972 by actor-politician M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) after his expulsion from the DMK. Originally named ADMK, it became the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1976, named after C. N. Annadurai.

MGR led the party to power in 1977 and remained Chief Minister until his death in 1987. J. Jayalalithaa then led the AIADMK and served as Chief Minister several times, known for wide-reaching welfare schemes such as Amma Canteens.

After Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, the party went through leadership changes. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who served as Chief Minister from 2017 to 2021, became General Secretary in 2022. The party's Two Leaves symbol is one of the most recognised in Tamil Nadu.

Key Milestones

  • 1972

    Founded by MGR

  • 1977

    MGR becomes Chief Minister

  • 1991

    J. Jayalalithaa becomes Chief Minister

  • 2017

    Edappadi K. Palaniswami becomes Chief Minister

  • 2022

    EPS elected General Secretary

  • 2025

    Re-forms alliance with the BJP; EPS named chief ministerial candidate

  • 2026

    Wins 47 seats (21.21% votes); EPS retains Edappadi with the widest margin in the state

Other Parties

TVKDMKVCKBJPINCPMKCPI(M)NTKMDMK