DMK faces another setback as MDMK exits alliance after 9 years

In a big move in Tamil Nadu politics, the MDMK on Saturday (June 27) snapped ties with its long-time ally DMK and announced its withdrawal from the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) after nine years.

The party said that the party would take “appropriate decisions” on the future alliance during election time. At its general council, the party's office bearers and cadres voted on the final decision to walk out of the alliance.

MDMK accusation against DMK

Driven by "pain" and "deep anguish" over its treatment in the DMK-led alliance, on Friday, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko stated that he felt that his party was treated "unfairly" in the alliance.

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The MDMK accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of attempting to allegedly prop up an AIADMK government in the state.

Such a move to install an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led regime—one that had a pre-poll tie-up with "Hindutva communal forces"—made the DMK's avowed secular-ideology-based alliance slogan meaningless, the party asserted.

Resolution passed

In a resolution passed at the meeting held in Chennai, the MDMK alleged that after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results were announced on May 4, 2026, it emerged that "behind-the-scenes political deals" had gone against the mandate given by the people.

It was an open secret that "arrangements" were made to install an AIADMK government, the MDMK alleged without directly naming the DMK.

The AIADMK had won a mere 47 seats in the April 23 Assembly polls by aligning with "Hindutva communal forces."

Future alliance

By attempting to form an AIADMK government, certain vested interests rendered completely meaningless the DMK's proclamation that the SPA was an "ideological alliance."

The resolution further said: "Under these circumstances, the office-bearers and cadres of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have expressed their view that the party must no longer continue in the DMK-led alliance.

"Therefore, this general council hereby decides to withdraw from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. This general council resolves that the party will take appropriate decisions regarding alliances when the elections approach."

Sixth party to exit alliance

The MDMK recalled that it had been part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance for over eight years.

The Vaiko-led party had passed a resolution at a high-level committee meeting on December 3, 2017, to forge an alliance with the DMK.

It was to prevent communal forces from gaining a foothold in Tamil Nadu and to protect the core ideological tenets of the Dravidian movement from being eroded, the MDMK said.

The MDMK is the sixth party to walk out of the DMK-led SPA post the Assembly results in May. Already the Congress severing its ties with the Dravidian major, joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the government formation. The VCK and IUML too joined the government, while the CPI and CPI (M) have extended unconditional support to the Vijay-led government.

The DMK, under its chief, MK Stalin, which is facing isolation by its allies, will have DMDK, Kamal Haasan-led MNM, and other smaller parties, in its alliance.