For more than five decades, Tamil Nadu has been ruled by the two Dravidian parties, resisting the tide of coalition politics in favour of single-party dominance in the state.

“Self-rule in the state, coalition at the Centre,” as CN Annadurai, Dravidian ideologue and founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam often said in his Rajya Sabha speeches. This political instinct has insulated Tamil Nadu governments from the messy negotiations and power-sharing dynamics that coalitions demand.

Alliances formed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam with regional or national parties were limited to electoral arrangements that never translated into power-sharing within the cabinet. Tamil Nadu’s cabinets remained exclusive to a single party.

At best, the allies were allowed increased seat allocations and administrative posts at lower levels. Even narrow victories by the Dravidian parties were followed by unilateral governance.

After winning the 2016 state election with a slim margin of 136 seats – just 18 seats above the majority mark of 118 – the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam did not include its allies in cabinet positions.

But with state elections due in 2026, that formula may be nearing its expiry. Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian parties are no longer on firm political footing.

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