The sixth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held on 10 June 1977. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) won the election, defeating its rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). M. G. Ramachandran (commonly known as M. G. R.), the AIADMK founder and a prominent Tamil film actor, was sworn in as Chief Minister for the first time. The election was a four-cornered contest among the AIADMK, DMK, the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Janata Party.
In 1972, M. G. R. founded the AIADMK after being expelled from the DMK due to differences with DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. On 31 January 1976, Karunanidhi's government was dismissed by the central government under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, citing non-cooperation under MISA. This led to the imposition of President's rule in the state. Karunanidhi had opposed the Emergency and allied with the Janata Party, founded by Jayaprakash Narayan. M. G. R. served as Chief Minister until his death in 1987, winning re-election in the 1980 and 1984 elections.
M. G. R.'s success set a precedent for actors entering politics, inspiring Telugu superstar N. T. Rama Rao to follow suit in 1982 and win the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, subsequently becoming the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. A similar election occurred in 2026, with actor C. Joseph Vijay becoming Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Background
Split in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
The DMK gradually weakened in the years following the previous election due to several splits resulting from the exit of influential leaders, including M.G.R. The party's popularity was further undermined by widespread corruption allegations, which M.G.R highlighted, given his close relationship with the Indian National Congress (INC). Tensions within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam began to surface before the 1971 election, but were put aside to win the elections in a standing record landslide margin.
K. A. Mathiazhagan was removed from his position as Minister of Finance, as he was seen as a significant threat to Karunanidhi's leadership. In 1972, influential Dalit leader Sathyavani Muthu left the party, citing a lack of concern for Dalit issues, and subsequently formed the Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam. Treasurer of the party M.G.R was expelled on 10 October 1972 following disciplinary action for his open criticisms of the party leadership regarding alleged corruption and authoritarian behavior. He then joined and lead the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which won the Dindigul by-election in 1973.
In March 1977, V. R. Nedunchezhiyan and several senior leaders also left the DMK to form the Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Emergency
Emergency, which was declared in June 1975 had a mixed reception in Tamil Nadu. Jayaprakash Narayan's opposition movement did not receive much support in Tamil Nadu due to his association with the DMK government, which had its own trouble due to accusations of corruption. K. Kamaraj did not come in support of Jayaprakash Narayan due to his association with DMK despite the fact he disapproved of Indira Gandhi's actions. DMK executive council called the Emergency unnecessary and undemocratic on 27 June and party leaders condemned it in several statewide meetings. Emergency regulations and censorship were not strictly enforced in Tamil Nadu unlike in other states. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Communist Party of India continued to support Indira Gandhi. M. G. Ramachandran even visited Delhi to extend his support to Indira Gandhi. It was under these circumstances Karunanidhi's government was dismissed by the Government of India on 31 January 1976. ADMK (as the AIADMK was known at the time) General Secretary M. G. Ramachandran welcomed the dismissal of the DMK government, describing the Prime Minister Indira’s action as “courageous.” He stated that his party would support the Prime Minister in such measures to safeguard democracy and urged the Union government to appoint a commission of inquiry into the alleged corruption charges.
Death of Kamaraj and Rajaji
Kamaraj, leader of Indian National Congress (Organisation), who remarked in 1972, "Randu Katchigalum Orey Kuttaiyil Oorina Mattaigal (both parties, the DMK and the AIADMK, are like fronds dipped in the same bog or tarred by the same brush)." died in 1975. Indian National Congress (Indira) faction could not establish a foothold in Tamil Nadu until his death. After his death, Indian National Congress (Organisation) lost its identity as a party amid internal turmoil, and a large number of its members led by G. K. Moopanar merged with Indira Congress. The remaining chose not to join with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, but rather joined the Janata Party and later remained largely uncommitted. Swatantra Party lost much of its power after the death of C. Rajagopalachari in 1972 and did not contest the election. Most of its members joined the newly formed Janata Party.
Coalitions
This election was a four cornered contest. The AIADMK allied itself with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), while INC(I) and Communist Party of India (CPI) contested as allies. The DMK and Janata Party (JNP) contested the elections alone. The previously held 1977 Lok sabha election results in march, in which Communist Party of India (Marxist) failed to win a seat, strained its ties with DMK, following which MGR swiftly initiated talks that led to an alliance between the CPI(M) and AIADMK. The AIADMK did not field any candidate in the Usilampatti Constituency in support of the Forward Bloc leader P.K. Mookiah Thevar. Similarly the AIADMK also supported the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) candidate M. Abdul Latheef in the Vaniyambadi Constituency. In the parliamentary elections that occurred just three months prior to this elections, there had been two major alliances – the AIADMK led AIADMK-INC-CPI coalition and the DMK led DMK-NCO-JNP-CPM coalition. But in the months that followed the parliamentary election, these coalitions fell apart.
During this election, a symbol allotment error in the Dharapuram Assembly constituency resulted in the “Two Leaves” symbol of the AIADMK being allotted by the Election Commission of India to an independent rebel candidate Ayyachamy who had earlier been announced by the party but later withdrawn. Despite an appeal from MGR to support his revised nominee Alangiyam A. K. Balakrishnan contesting under the “Lion” symbol, voters elected the independent candidate, highlighting the symbol’s popularity.
At the last minute, DMK president Karunanidhi announced his willingness to reach an understanding with the Janata Party and the Congress to oppose MGR in Aruppukkottai Assembly constituency by withdrawing his party’s candidate in favour of a winnable nominee, but the arrangement did not materialise, as Janata leader P. Ramachandran declined to comment and Congress state president G. K. Moopanar rejected the proposal.
Voting and results
Polling for the election was held on 10 June 1977. Turnout among the eligible voters was 61.58%.
Results by Pre-Poll Alliance
‡: Vote % reflects the percentage of votes the party received compared to the entire electorate that voted in this election. Adjusted (Adj.) Vote %, reflects the % of votes the party received per constituency that they contested.
Sources: Election Commission of India
Result Analysis
On 14 June 1977, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) began leading early and secured victories from the commencement of vote counting. In most constituencies, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress finished in second and third places respectively, while the ruling Janata Party at the Centre largely trailed in last place. The DMK registered significant victories only in its strongholds Madras city (now Chennai) and the then undivided Thanjavur district. In Madras, the party won 13 constituencies, with the exception of the Radhakrishnan Nagar (R.K. Nagar) seat, where AIADMK candidate and actor Isari Velan defeated Congress's T. N. Anandanayaki. However, the DMK failed to secure a single seat in the districts of Salem, Dharmapuri, Pudukottai, Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari.
By constituency
Key:
After the victory, M. G. R. stated that his government would act with a sense of responsibility and remain committed to its promises despite any challenges. Responding to questions on the DMK emerging as the opposition, he noted that both parties shared a common stand on the language issue, though differing on others. Meanwhile, DMK president Karunanidhi, elected as Leader of the Opposition and Legislative party leader, rejected claims that the DMK had lost relevance, pointing to the election of 48 of its members and expressing confidence in strengthening the party for the future. M.G.R. delayed assuming office for 2 weeks in order to complete his prior film commitments, despite criticism from the DMK, which alleged that the delay was influenced by astrologers and Hindu religious figures. MGR maintained that he did not want film producers and distributors who had invested in his projects to suffer due to his political responsibilities. He completed crucial scenes for Meenava Nanban and the dubbing for Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan, He also intended to finish Anna Nee En Deivam, although financial difficulties prevented the latter’s completion. Portions of the unfinished footage were later used by director K. Bhagyaraj in the film Avasara Police 100 (1990 movie). On 29 June 1977, at around 11 p.m., after completing the final dubbing session for both his films, MGR bid farewell to his film career at Vijaya Vauhini Studios. Seeing crowds waiting with garlands outside, he reportedly remarked whether they were meant for the end of his film career or the beginning of his political rule.
On 30 June 1977, M. G. Ramachandran was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a ceremony held at Rajaji Hall in Chennai, where a 14-member council of ministers assumed office, administered by Governor Prabhudas Patwari. After the swearing-in ceremony, M. G. Ramachandran and his cabinet colleagues proceeded to a grand stage in front of the C. N. Annadurai statue on Anna Salai, where he took the affirmation before the public and assured the people of a corruption-free and transparent administration. The election marked a decisive shift in Tamil Nadu politics, with the contest transitioning from a Congress and DMK rivalry to a predominantly Dravidian party competition between the AIADMK and the DMK, marginalising national parties, a pattern that has largely continued for decades. Contrary to later claims by MGR's associates, confidence in an AIADMK victory in the 1977 election was not widespread. The Tamil weekly Kumudam had predicted the Congress, Janata Party, and AIADMK as the top three, with the DMK last on its pre-poll prediction. However, the AIADMK won, followed by the DMK, Congress, and Janata Party.