AIDMK: MGR split DMK and formed his own party AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), after the political feud with the party president Muthuvel Karunanidhi. Differences arose between them after the death of AIDMK (All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) founder and Chief Minister Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (1909-1969), popularly known as Anna. Superstar Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (1917-1987), popularly known by his initials MGR, was an actor turned politician. MGR was one of the most popular leaders of the Tamil film industry. He launched the AIADMK on October 17, 1972. He was the Chief Minister from 1977 to 1987. After MGR, Puratchi Talaivi Jayaram Jayalalithaa (1948-2016) took over the reins of the party. She was also the chief minister of the state in 1991-96, 2001, 2002-06, 2011-14 and 2015-16.
‘Kalaignar’ Muthuvel Karunanidhi (1924-2018), who led the DMK for decades, is also a renowned writer in the film industry. Kalaignar served as Chief Minister for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. Now his son MK Stalin is leading the party. He is also the Chief Minister. Karunanidhi's grandson & State Minister Udayanidhi Stalin is also a popular film hero.
DMDK: Popular Tamil star Captain Vijaykanth (Vijayaraj Alagarswami, 1952-2023), founded DMDK (Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam) in 2005. He passed away recently due to illness. DMDK won 29 assembly seats in the 2011 elections, and Vijaykanth served as the Leader of the Opposition.
RMM: Superstar Rajnikanth (Shivaji Rao Gaikwadhad) also had a stint in politics from 2017 to 2021 with his party Rajni Makkal Mandram (RMM). When he dissolved his party in 2021, he said that he had no intention of returning to politics.
MNM: Popular cinema star Kamal Haasan launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party in 2018. The party is also active in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
AISMK: Cinema couple R. Sarath Kumar & Radhika Sarath Kumar founded All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (SMK) in 2007. The party contested the 2011 elections in alliance with the AIADMK and won two seats.
TMM: Popular Tamil actor Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his screen name Sivaji Ganesan (1928-2001) started Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani (TMM) in 1988. Munnai party has been in existence for quite some time.
AINMK: Actor Karthik launched the party Ahila India Naadalum Makkal Katchi (AINM) in 2009. He has a large number of party supporters. Karthik was the president of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) Tamilnadu unit until he launched his own party with the support of the Thevar community.
Kamma Vs Kapu Caste Politics in AP…
TDP: Legendary actor Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao, popularly known as NTR (1923-1996), launched the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. He became CM three times in 1983, 1984 and 1994. Now Nara Chandrababu Naidu running the TDP. This party was formed on the slogan of self-respect of the Telugu people against the policies of the Congress. But the shadow of Kamma caste politics hangs over this party.
PRP: Megastar Konidela Shiva Shankara Vara Prasad, popularly known as Chiranjeevi founded his own party Prajarajyam (PRP) in 2008. The party merged with the Congress in 2011. He served as an MLA from Tirupati during 2009-12. Chiranjeevi was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and later served as the Minister of Culture and Tourism in the Manmohan Singh government.
JSP: Chiranjeevi's own Brother Pawan Kalyan launched the Jana Sena Party (JSP) in 2014. The party is currently active in AP. This party is supported by the people of the Kapu caste who want to seize power from the politically dominant Kamma and Reddy castes. There is an analysis that Chiranjeevi also failed because of running politics with the Kapu caste as the centre.
