1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election

The fourth legislative assembly election of Madras State (later renamed as Tamil Nadu) was held in February 1967. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led coalition under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai won the election defeating the Indian National Congress (Congress). Anti-Hindi agitations, the rising prices of essential commodities, and a shortage of rice were the dominant issues. K. Kamaraj's resignation as the Chief Minister in 1963, to concentrate on party affairs, along with persistent rumors of corruption had weakened the incumbent Congress Government. This was the second time after Communist Party of India winning Kerala assembly elections in 1957, for a non-Congress party to gain the majority in a state in India, and the last time that Congress held power in Tamil Nadu. It was the first time a party or pre-election alliance formed a non-Congress government with an absolute majority. It marked the beginning of Dravidian dominance in the politics of Tamil Nadu. Annadurai, who became the first non-Congress chief minister of post-independence Tamil Nadu, died in office in 1969 and V.R. Nedunchezhiyan took over as acting chief minister.

1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election

← 1962 5–21 February 1967 1971 →
All 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 118 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	76.57%
First party Second party   Leader C. N. Annadurai M. Bhakthavatsalam Party DMK INC Leader's seat MLC^[1] Sriperumbudur (lost) Seats won 179 51 Seat change 121^[2] 84^[2] Popular vote 8,051,433 6,293,378 Percentage 52.59% 41.10% Swing 15.70% 5.04%
Chief Minister before election M. Bakthavatsalam INC Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai DMK

Background

The Congress party began to show weakness in the years after the 1962 election.^[3] In the summer of 1962, DMK conducted demonstrations against rising prices. These demonstrations turned violent throughout the state leading to the arrest of 6500 DMK volunteers, 14 members of the assembly and four members of the Lok Sabha, including Annadurai.^[3]

Kamaraj resigned the Chief Ministership in 1963 to assume the presidency of the All India Congress Committee and was replaced by M. Bakthavatsalam. Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr. (Temple Professor Emeritus in the Humanities, Government and Asian Studies from the University of Texas) wrote in an article published in the journal Pacific Affairs, that M. Bhaktavatsalam did not have the personal charisma or political acumen of Kamaraj. Persistent rumours of corruption tarnished the image of the Government. In October 1964, the food crisis brought the popularity of the Congress Government to an all-time low.^[3]

Issues

Main article: Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu

The major issues at play in the election were the official language issue, the rise in essential commodity prices and the shortage of rice. The central Government led by the Indian National Congress had implemented an act replacing English with Hindi as an official language of India while retaining a possible "associate" status to English. The switchover came into effect on 26 January 1965. In protest to the vague wording of the act, fearing a possible elimination of English and imposition of Hindi, DMK had launched an agitation opposing the switchover and that agitation turned violent. The 1967 election was held in the aftermath of this violence.^[4]

The acute rice shortage prevailing in the state became an election issue with the DMK promising to supply three padis (approx. 4.5 kg) of rice for 1 Rupee in its election manifesto.^[5][6] The DMK capitalised on the rice shortage as well as widespread discontent with the Bhaktavatsalam administration. Slogans like Kamarajar Annachi kadalaiparuppu vilai ennachu (Elder Brother (Annachi is a title historically been used to refer to a person of Kamaraj's caste) Kamaraj, what happened to the price of chana dal?), Bhaktavatsalam annachi arisi vilai ennachu (lit. Brother Bhatavatsalam, what happened to the price of rice?) were used effectively by the DMK to stir public anger against the Congress.^[7]

This election was noted for popular actor, DMK candidate and future Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) being shot in the throat by actor M.R. Radha. He survived the shooting, but the incident created a huge popularity wave for MGR. This eventually helped to increase the popularity of not only MGR, but also the DMK in the election, and is attributed as one of the reasons for the victory of the DMK.^[8]

Coalitions

There were two major political coalitions running in the elections. The Indian National Congress contested^[9] alone, while the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) under Periyar E. V. Ramasamy supported and campaigned for the incumbent Congress against his protege Annadurai.^[10][11][12] The DMK-led front comprised the Swatantra Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Praja Socialist Party, Samyukta Socialist Party, Tamil Nadu Toilers Party, Republican Party of India and the Indian Union Muslim League. The Tamil Arasu Kazhagam and the We Tamils party campaigned using the DMK election symbol.^[4] This opposition coalition was forged by C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) with the sole purpose of defeating the Kamaraj led Congress. Rajaji's personal hostility to Kamaraj and his opposition to the Congress party were the main reasons behind Swatantra's alliance with DMK.^[13] The Communist Party of India campaigned alone without joining either of the two coalitions.^[14][15]

The electoral alliance between DMK, Swatantra Party and Muslim League had emerged in the years before the 1964 civic elections throughout Madras state. During the 1964 election campaign Rajagopalachari had said, "The DMK and Muslim League are my children and I am duty bound to nurse them to strength and stature."^[3]

Campaigning

See also: Tamil cinema and Dravidian politics

Both Congress and DMK used films and actors for campaigning. Gemini Studios produced a political film for the Congress – Vazhga Nam Thayagam starring Shivaji Ganesan and Nagesh. Sivaji and Padmini worked for the Congress party. Despite its efforts, Congress could not counter the DMK's propaganda, which had a long history of using films for political campaigns since its founding.^[16]

DMK's long-term association with the Tamil Film industry was put to good use in the campaign. MGR's films were used to attack Congress policies and to popularise DMK's positions. Similar to the tactics employed in the elections of 1957 and 1962, film songs and dialogues from Kaanji Thalaivan (1963), "Deivathai (1964), "Padakotti (1964)", Aayirathil Oruvan", Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Anbe Vaa (1966), Naan Aanaiyittal (1966), "Mugarasi (1966)", "Petralthan Pillaya (1966)",Vivasayee (1967) and Arasakattalai (1967) were used for political messaging. Lesser known film stars like Ravichandran and Jaishankar used their films for praising DMK and Annadurai. The DMK put up posters of MGR recuperating in a hospital bed with a neck cast (from his gunshot wounds) all over Tamil Nadu to garner public sympathy and support.^[7][17][18]

Election

The election was held for a total of 234 constituencies, including 43 Scheduled Caste and 2 Scheduled Tribe reserved constituencies. 778 candidates, including 11 women were in the fray, of whom 231 men and 3 women were elected to the assembly. The election saw a turnout of 76.57 percent of all eligible voters, with 79.19% men and 73.99% women casting their votes. The polling for the assembly election took place along with the polling for the 1967 parliamentary elections. It took place in three phases between 5 and 21 February (5, 18 and 21 February).^[19][20]

Results

DMK and its coalition allies won 179 seats (76.5%). The Indian National Congress won 51 seats (21.8%).^[21] Four candidates of the Naam Thamizhar Party led by S. P. Adithanar and two candidates of Tamil Arasu Kazhagam led by M. P. Sivagnanam contested^[9] under DMK's "Rising Sun" Symbol. The Indian Union Muslim League candidates contested^[9] as independents.^[22]

^[2][23]

Alliances	Party		Popular Vote	Vote %	Seats contested	Seats won	Change
United Front^[24] Seats: 179 Seat Change:   121 Popular Vote: 8,051,433 Popular Vote %: 52.59%		Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam	6,230,552	40.69%	174	137	87
		Swatantra Party	811,232	5.30%	27	20	12
		CPI(M)	623,114	4.07%	22	11	11
		Praja Socialist Party	136,188	0.89%	4	4	4
		Indian Union Muslim League	95,494	0.62%	3	3	3
		Samyukta Socialist Party	84,188	0.55%	3	2	2
	DMK Backed Independents		70,665	0.46%	2	2	2
Indian National Congress Seats: 51 Seat Change:   84 Popular Vote: 6,293,378 Popular Vote %: 41.10%		Indian National Congress	6,293,378	41.10%	232	51	84
Others Seats: 4 Seat Change:   4		Independent	591,214	3.86%	246	1	4
		Communist Party of India	275,932	1.80%	32	2
		Forward Bloc	44,714	0.29%	1	1
		Republican Party of India	31,286	0.20%	13	0
		Bharatiya Jana Sangh	22,745	0.15%	24	0
Total	11 Political Parties		15,310,702	100%	—	234	28

By constituency

**	Muslim League Candidates contesting as independents^[25]
*	DMK backed Independents^[26]

• Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency

Assembly Constituency		Winner					Runner Up					Margin
#k	Name	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%
1	Washermanpet	M. Vedachalam		DMK	34,571	50.7	M. Mayandi Nadar		INC	27,329	40.08	7,242
2	Harbour	H. Baig		Independent	29,360	51.69	K. S. G. Haja Shareef		INC	25,510	44.91	3,850
3	Basin Bridge	M. R. Kannan		DMK	40,109	53.81	K. Ramdas		INC	30,757	41.26	9,352
4	Park Town	H. V. Hande		SWA	29,144	51.57	T. N. Anandanayaki		INC	26,465	46.83	2,679
5	Perambur	Sathyavani Muthu		DMK	40,364	54.19	D. Sulochana		INC	33,677	45.21	6,687
6	Purasawalkam	V. S. Govindarajan		DMK	41,272	58.04	Damodaran		INC	29,046	40.85	12,226
7	Egmore	A. V. P. Asaithambi		DMK	36,133	54.2	J. Vencatachellum		INC	29,187	43.78	6,946
8	Thousand Lights	K. A. Mathiazhagan		DMK	39,518	60.27	M. Sivaraj		INC	25,370	38.69	14,148
9	Triplicane	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan		DMK	38,721	59.41	M. S. Sammandappa		INC	26,027	39.93	12,694
10	Mylapore	Arangannal		DMK	37,498	57.02	V. R. Radhakrishnan		INC	28,270	42.98	9,228
11	Thiyagaraya Nagar	M. P. Sivagnanam		DMK	37,662	57.36	K. M. Subramaniam		Independent	27,669	42.14	9,993
12	Saidapet	M. Karunanidhi		DMK	53,401	60.96	S. G. Vinayagamurthi		INC	32,919	37.58	20,482
13	Gummidipoondi	K. Vezhavendan		DMK	35,887	52.57	Kamalambujammal		INC	31,527	46.19	4,360
14	Ponneri	P. Nagalingam		DMK	37,746	56.61	T. P. Elumalai		INC	27,751	41.62	9,995
15	Thiruvottiyur	A. P. Arasu		DMK	51,437	61.23	V. Venkateswaralu		INC	32,564	38.77	18,873
16	St Thomas Mount	M. G. Ramachandran		DMK	54,106	66.67	T. L. Raghupathy		INC	26,432	32.57	27,674
17	Thiruporur	M. Adhi		DMK	39,047	60.03	N. M. Manivarama		INC	22,631	34.79	16,416
18	Chengalpattu	C. G. Viswanathan		DMK	43,428	62.77	T. Naicker		INC	19,879	28.73	23,549
19	Maduranthakam	Kothandam		DMK	38,382	59.2	G. Reddy		INC	25,200	38.87	13,182
20	Acharapakkam	P. S. Ellappan		SWA	38,223	62.11	P. Saradambal		INC	23,322	37.89	14,901
21	Uthiramerur	K. M. Rajagopal		DMK	47,689	64.01	O. S. Reddiar		INC	26,814	35.99	20,875
22	Kancheepuram	N. Krishnan		DMK	45,266	56.78	V. C. S. Nayagar		INC	33,716	42.3	11,550
23	Kunnathur	M. Gopal		DMK	47,772	68.88	P. Appavoo		INC	20,563	29.65	27,209
24	Sriperumbudur	D. Rajarathinam		DMK	41,655	54.13	M. Bhaktavatsalam		INC	32,729	42.53	8,926
25	Kadambathur	C. V. M. Annamalai		DMK	43,499	66.68	C. C. Naidu		INC	21,741	33.32	21,758
26	Thiruvallur	S. M. Dorairaj		DMK	40,687	66.06	V. S. Arunachalam		INC	19,030	30.9	21,657
27	Tiruttani	K. Vinayakam		INC	27,123	40.34	V. K. Kuppuswamy		DMK	25,337	37.68	1,786
28	Arakkonam	S. J. Ramaswamy Mudali		DMK	38,478	52.78	B. Naidu		INC	30,870	42.35	7,608
29	Sholingur	Aranganathan		DMK	35,225	51.67	A. M. Ponnuranga Mudaliar		INC	28,201	41.37	7,024
30	Ranipet	A. G. Sahib		Independent	30,011	45.14	S. K. Sheriff		INC	28,953	43.55	1,058
31	Arcot	Arcot N. Veeraswami		DMK	37,514	60.13	A. G. R. Naicker		INC	23,184	37.16	14,330
32	Katpadi	G. Natarajan		DMK	32,952	53.06	P. S. R. Naidu		INC	25,032	40.3	7,920
33	Gudiyatham	V. K. Kothandaraman		CPI(M)	38,825	61.21	B. R. Naidu		INC	21,901	34.53	16,924
34	Pernambattu	P. Jayaraman		DMK	28,868	54.75	T. Manavalan		INC	19,957	37.85	8,911
35	Natrampalli	T. C. T. Gounder		DMK	29,215	52.18	R. C. S. Gounder		INC	26,776	47.82	2,439
36	Tirupattur (Vellore)	C. Gounder		DMK	32,589	49.8	Shunmugam		INC	30,512	46.62	2,077
37	Vaniyambadi	Rajamannar		INC	26,946	50.77	Vadivel		DMK	25,308	47.69	1,638
38	Ambur	M. Panneerselvam		DMK	31,554	56.35	P. Rajagopal		INC	20,947	37.41	10,607
39	Kaniyambadi	L. Balaraman		INC	29,512	49.62	T. Thiruvengadam		DMK	28,100	47.24	1,412
40	Vellore	M. P. Sarathy		DMK	39,863	58.96	J. Mudaliar		INC	25,449	37.64	14,414
41	Arani	A. C. Narasimhan		DMK	38,038	60.74	T. B. J. Chettiar		INC	17,320	27.66	20,718
42	Cheyyar	K. Govindan		DMK	37,068	54.86	K. M. Kangan		INC	17,395	25.74	19,673
43	Vandavasi	Muthulingam		DMK	38,626	61.25	A. Adineelam		INC	21,300	33.78	17,326
44	Pernamallur	V. D. A. Mudaly		DMK	29,413	46.25	P. Ramachandran		INC	20,225	31.8	9,188
45	Polur	S. Kuppamal		DMK	33,292	56.92	S. M. Annamalai		INC	20,224	34.58	13,068
46	Chengam	P. S. Santhanam		DMK	29,828	56.84	A. Arumugham		INC	18,773	35.77	11,055
47	Thandarambattu	K. S. Kandar		INC	29,524	50.31	R. Dharmalingam		DMK	28,185	48.03	1,339
48	Kalasapakkam	S. Murugaiyan		INC	32,697	51.37	M. Sundarasan		DMK	20,554	32.3	12,143
49	Tiruvannamalai	D. Vijayaraj		INC	38,153	49.39	P. U. Shanmugam		DMK	34,968	45.26	3,185
50	Melmalayanur	R. R. Munusamy		DMK	33,115	50.68	K. G. Gounder		INC	17,295	26.47	15,820
51	Gingee	V. Munusami		DMK	39,517	55.59	G. Rajaram		INC	27,905	39.26	11,612
52	Tindivanam	K. Ramamoorthy		INC	34,106	51.59	A. Thangavelu		DMK	32,008	48.41	2,098
53	Vanur	Balakrishnan		DMK	30,023	50.06	Velayudham		INC	29,953	49.94	70
54	Kandamangalam	M. Raman		DMK	35,617	55.83	M. S. Saraswathi		INC	28,180	44.17	7,437
55	Villupuram	M. Shanmugam		DMK	37,605	53.73	V. P. S. Gounder		INC	31,674	45.26	5,931
56	Nellikuppam	C. Govindarajan		CPI(M)	28,090	47.24	A. Lakshminarayanan		INC	23,117	38.88	4,973
57	Cuddalore	Ere. Elamvazhuthi		DMK	35,093	55.09	P. R. Seenivasa Padayachi		INC	27,845	43.71	7,248
58	Panruti	S. Ramachandaran		DMK	43,745	60.82	S. V. Vadivelu Padayachi		INC	28,179	39.18	15,566
59	Kurinjipadi	N. Rajangam		DMK	25,478	54.5	M. Jayaraman		INC	18,226	38.99	7,252
60	Bhuvanagiri	A. Govindarasan		DMK	38,795	56.28	D. Ramachandran		INC	28,234	40.96	10,561
61	Kattumannarkoil	S. Sivasubramanian		INC	30,521	48.34	C. Govindarasu		DMK	30,387	48.13	134
62	Chidambaram	R. Kanagasabai Pillai		INC	34,911	49.18	P. Ponchockalingam		DMK	33,356	46.99	1,555
63	Vriddhachalam	G. Boovaraghan		INC	42,230	54.77	M. Selvaraj		DMK	33,363	43.27	8,867
64	Mangalore	A. Krishnan		DMK	34,538	56.67	P. Vedamanickam		INC	21,669	35.56	12,869
65	Ulundurpet	M. Kandaswamy Padayachi		INC	26,796	47.23	V. S. Padayachi		DMK	25,236	44.48	1,560
66	Tirukkoyilur	E. M. Subramaniam		INC	34,259	51.25	A. S. Kumarasamy		DMK	32,586	48.75	1,673
67	Mugaiyur	A. Govindasamy		DMK	37,598	56.42	N. K Ganapathy		INC	25,555	38.35	12,043
68	Rishivandiyam	M. Anandan		DMK	26,491	49.6	L. Anandan		INC	26,173	49	318
69	Sankarapuram	S. P. Pachaiyappan		DMK	28,292	54.75	D. Muthusami		INC	22,774	44.07	5,518
70	Kallakurichi	D. K. Naidu		DMK	39,175	56.38	V. T. Elayapillai		INC	28,642	41.22	10,533
71	Hosur	B. Venkataswami		SWA	21,530	52.69	K. A. Pillai		INC	19,329	47.31	2,201
72	Uddanapalle	K. S. Kothandramiah		SWA	29,391	65.75	D. C. Vijendriah		INC	15,313	34.25	14,078
73	Krishnagiri	P. M. M. Gounder		INC	24,220	47.31	C. Manniappan		DMK	24,035	46.95	185
74	Kaveripatnam	P. Naidu		INC	32,953	52.74	P. V. Seeramulu		DMK	29,532	47.26	3,421
75	Uttangarai	T. T. Gounder		INC	31,791	49.06	K. R. Krishnan		DMK	29,751	45.91	2,040
76	Harur	N. Theerthagiri		INC	27,565	48.09	N. Arumugam		DMK	27,017	47.14	548
77	Dharmapuri	M. S. Gounter		DMK	36,258	53.02	D. N. Vadivel		INC	29,567	43.23	6,691
78	Palacode	K. Murugesan		INC	29,186	50.05	M. B. Munusamy		DMK	26,096	44.75	3,090
79	Pennagaram	P. K. C. Muthusamy		INC	27,913	49.2	N. Manickam		DMK	26,570	46.84	1,343
80	Mettur	M. Surendran		PSP	30,635	48.78	K. K. Gounder		INC	24,597	39.17	6,038
81	Taramangalam	Govindan		DMK	33,222	57.8	M. S. Krishnan		INC	24,259	42.2	8,963
82	Omalur	C. Palani		DMK	28,121	56.17	C. Govindan		INC	17,876	35.71	10,245
83	Salem I	K. Jayaraman		DMK	46,776	57.92	P. Thiagarajan		INC	32,710	40.51	14,066
84	Salem I I	E. R. Krishnan		DMK	38,781	58	A. R. Gounder		INC	27,285	40.81	11,496
85	Yercaud	V. Chinnasamy		DMK	25,124	56.25	Ponnudurai		INC	19,537	43.75	5,587
86	Panamarathupatti	Karipatti T. Ponnumalai		DMK	34,597	53.7	C. Sepperumal		DMK	26,870	41.7	7,727
87	Veerapandi	Veerapandy S. Arumugam		DMK	42,681	66.11	N. S. Sundararajan		INC	21,876	33.89	20,805
88	Edappadi	A. Arumugam		DMK	36,935	54.7	K. S. S. Gounder		INC	30,593	45.3	6,342
89	Sankari	R. Nallamuthu		DMK	30,112	61.7	A. Rajendran		INC	17,174	35.19	12,938
90	Tiruchengodu	T. A. Rajavelu		DMK	42,479	64.73	T. P. Natesan		INC	22,131	33.72	20,348
91	Kapilamalai	C. V. Velappan		DMK	41,026	52.25	R. S. Gounder		INC	32,733	41.69	8,293
92	Namakkal	M. Muthuswamy		DMK	39,510	54.37	V. R. K. Gounder		INC	31,651	43.55	7,859
93	Sendamangalam	A. S. Gounder		INC	31,308	50.62	S. T. Doraiswamy		CPI(M)	30,537	49.38	771
94	Rasipuram	P. Periasamy		DMK	38,402	52.53	K. M. Gounder		INC	30,873	42.23	7,529
95	Attur	K. N. Sivaperumal		DMK	40,456	57.22	M. P. Subramanyam		INC	30,252	42.78	10,204
96	Talavasal	Moo. Marimuthu		DMK	33,289	55.39	A. Doraisamy		INC	24,448	40.68	8,841
97	Gudalur	C. Nanjam		INC	20,675	49.24	Bomman		SWA	20,047	47.74	628
98	Udhagamandalam	K. Bojan		SWA	37,525	68.03	T. K. Gowder		INC	17,636	31.97	19,889
99	Coonoor	B. Gowder		DMK	31,855	58.74	M. K. N. Gowder		INC	22,380	41.26	9,475
100	Mettupalayam	T. T. S. Thippiah		INC	29,709	45.42	Thooyamani		DMK	26,736	40.87	2,973
101	Avanashi	R. K. Gounder		SWA	31,927	54.36	K. M. Gounder		INC	26,808	45.64	5,119
102	Thondamuthur	R. Manickavachakam		DMK	42,261	59.14	V. E. Naidu		INC	26,842	37.56	15,419
103	Singanallur	P. Velusamy		PSP	38,378	54.93	V. K. L. Gounder		INC	25,115	35.95	13,263
104	Perur	N. Marudachalam		CPI(M)	43,740	61.49	R. Rayappan		INC	26,548	37.32	17,192
105	Coimbatore (West)	J, Govindarajulu		DMK	41,059	63.85	S. R. P. P. Chettiar		INC	23,251	36.15	17,808
106	Coimbatore (East)	M. Bhupathy		CPI(M)	33,122	50.81	G. R. Damodaran		INC	27,477	42.15	5,645
107	Kinathukadavu	M. Kannappan		DMK	40,645	64.63	S. Gounder		INC	20,691	32.9	19,954
108	Pollachi	A. P. Shanmugasundara Goundar		DMK	37,480	58.65	E. Gounder		INC	25,688	40.2	11,792
109	Valparai	E. Ramaswamy		DMK	40,945	66.24	N. Nachimuthu		INC	20,868	33.76	20,077
110	Udumalaipettai	S. J. Sadiq Pasha		DMK	39,796	58.17	K. Ramasami		INC	25,778	37.68	14,018
111	Dharapuram	Palaniammal		DMK	42,433	65	P. Velusamy		INC	21,800	33.39	20,633
112	Vellakoil	K. N. S. Gounder		DMK	46,009	62.44	D. P. Gounder		INC	26,578	36.07	19,431
113	Kangayam	A. S. Gounder		INC	24,800	36.41	Velusami		DMK	24,654	36.19	146
114	Pongalur	P. N. P. Gounder		DMK	38,371	61.75	P. S. Rangaswamy		INC	22,414	36.07	15,957
115	Palladam	K. N. Kumarasamy Gounder		PSP	31,977	46.99	R. Sengaliappan		INC	24,421	35.89	7,556
116	Tiruppur	S. Duraisamy		DMK	35,518	50.05	K. N. P. Gounder		INC	21,373	30.12	14,145
117	Modakkurichi	K. R. Nallasivam		SSP	45,303	61.23	C. Kulandiammal		INC	25,444	34.39	19,859
118	Perundurai	S. Balasubramanian		SSP	33,164	47.41	N. N. S. Nandradiar		INC	30,030	42.93	3,134
119	Erode	M. Chinnaswamy		DMK	45,471	59.14	P. Arjunan		INC	25,808	33.57	19,663
120	Bhavani	A. M. Raja		DMK	43,353	65.16	P. K. Mudaliar		INC	21,999	33.07	21,354
121	Anthiyur	E. M. Natarajan		DMK	34,877	55.99	Gurumurthi		INC	27,409	44.01	7,468
122	Gobichettipalayam	K. M. R. Gounder		SWA	31,974	52.61	M. Gounder		INC	27,403	45.09	4,571
123	Satyamangalam	P. G. Karuthiruman		INC	25,484	49.22	S. M. Marappan		CPI(M)	24,278	46.89	1,206
124	Bhavanisagar	Ramarasan		DMK	26,980	51.76	M. Velusamy		INC	22,187	42.57	4,793
125	Oddanchatram	N. Gounder		DMK	39,817	55.55	A. P. Palaniappan		INC	30,953	43.18	8,864
126	Palani	Krishnamoorthy		DMK	47,671	65.8	Balakrishnan		INC	24,780	34.2	22,891
127	Periyakulam	M. Metha		DMK	36,023	54.85	R. S. Subramaniam		INC	29,648	45.15	6,375
128	Bodinayakkanur	S. Srinivasan		INC	34,671	49.83	P. V. Durairaj		CPI(M)	33,905	48.73	766
129	Cumbum	Rajangam		DMK	41,440	59.66	N. S. K. S. Pandiaraj		INC	28,025	40.34	13,415
130	Theni	P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan		DMK	42,111	58.73	M. Malaichami		INC	29,597	41.27	12,514
131	Andipatti	S. Paramasivam		SWA	35,351	54.86	A. Thiruvenkidasamy		INC	29,091	45.14	6,260
132	Sedapatti	V. T. Thevar		SWA	41,167	63.84	T. A. Nadar		INC	21,553	33.42	19,614
133	Tirumangalam	N. S. V. Chitthan		INC	20,319	33.58	M. P. Rajan		SWA	17,062	28.2	3,257
134	Usilampatti	P.K. Mookiah Thevar		AIFB	44,714	72.11	A. M. N. Thevar		INC	16,225	26.17	28,489
135	Nilakottai	A. Muniyandi		DMK	37,601	57.71	V. K. L. Gounder		INC	25,115	35.95	12,486
136	Sholavandan	P. S. Maniyan		DMK	45,221	60.19	R. S. Servai		INC	28,728	38.24	16,493
137	Thiruparankundram	S. Agniraju		DMK	49,169	63.94	S. Sonaimuthu		INC	26,792	34.84	22,377
138	Madurai West	N. Sankaraiah		CPI(M)	46,882	59.42	M. Chelliah		INC	23,012	29.17	23,870
139	Madurai Central	C. Govindarajan		DMK	39,566	62.86	V. Sankaran		INC	22,787	36.2	16,779
140	Madurai East	K. P. Janakiammal		CPI(M)	32,173	50.32	A. G. Subburaman		INC	23,929	37.43	8,244
141	Melur (South)	O. P. Raman		DMK	50,913	63.41	P. Kakkan		INC	29,376	36.59	21,537
142	Melur (North)	P. Malaichamy		DMK	38,895	56.15	M. Andi Ambalam		INC	30,376	43.85	8,519
143	Vadamadurai	P. T. Naicker		INC	30,507	49.11	V. S. Lakshmanan		DMK	28,651	46.13	1,856
144	Dindigul	A. Balasubramanayam		CPI(M)	42,381	58.93	O. C. Pillai		INC	29,537	41.07	12,844
145	Athoor	V. S. S. Mani Chettiyar		DMK	37,879	50.7	R. R. Reddiar		INC	36,124	48.36	1,755
146	Vedasandur	N. Varadaraj		CPI(M)	30,063	48.16	S. N. Rao		INC	29,372	47.05	691
147	Aravakurichi	S. K. Gounder		SWA	46,614	67.46	V. P. Gounder		INC	22,482	32.54	24,132
148	Karur	T. M. Nallaswamy		INC	33,552	44.95	S. Nallaswamy		CPI(M)	28,677	38.42	4,875
149	Thottiyam	Vadivel		DMK	39,701	53.94	T. Veerappan		INC	29,670	40.31	10,031
150	Musiri	P. S. Muthuselvan		DMK	32,615	51.48	K. V. K. Reddiar		INC	27,750	43.8	4,865
151	Uppiliapuram	T. P. Alagamuthu		DMK	43,453	56.29	A. V. Mudaliar		INC	31,416	40.69	12,037
152	Perambalur	J. S. Raju		DMK	33,657	51.03	M. Ayyakannu		INC	28,864	43.76	4,793
153	Varahur	R. Narayanan		DMK	32,846	49.64	M. V. Perumal		INC	20,533	31.03	12,313
154	Andimadam	K. N. Ramachandran		DMK	32,253	48.25	N. Manickam		DMK	26,570	46.84	5,683
155	Jayankondam	K. A. A. K. Moorthy		DMK	34,751	52.57	S. Ramasami		INC	28,791	43.56	5,960
156	Ariyalur	R. Karuppiam		INC	26,440	37.37	G. Sepperumal		DMK	25,017	35.36	1,423
157	Lalgudi	D. Natarajan		DMK	37,352	50.63	D. R. Udaiyar		INC	34,712	47.05	2,640
158	Srirangam	S. Ramalingam		INC	34,474	50.48	P. Ponchockalingam		DMK	33,356	46.99	1,118
159	Tiruchirappalli I	M. S. Mani		DMK	34,504	52.07	A. S. G. L. Piliai		INC	31,199	47.08	3,305
160	Tiruchirappalli Ii	R. Nagasundaram		DMK	26,048	46.08	M. K. M. A. Salam		INC	18,842	33.33	7,206
161	Thiruverumbur	V. Swaminathan		INC	33,513	50.15	K. Kamakshi		DMK	28,884	43.22	4,629
162	Kulithalai	M. Kandaswamy		DMK	36,120	49.68	P. E. S. Reddiar		INC	32,305	44.43	3,815
163	Krishnarayapuram	P. Soundarapandiyan		DMK	28,444	48.72	T. V. Sannasi		INC	25,903	44.37	2,541
164	Kadavur	Karuraigiri Muthiah		INC	35,102	54.94	Anbil P. Dharmalingam		DMK	28,788	45.06	6,314
165	Viralimalai	S. S. Thethuvandar		DMK	30,288	49.63	P. P. Gounder		INC	26,354	43.19	3,934
166	Thirumayam	Ponnambalam		DMK	44,511	62.79	V. Ramiah		INC	24,290	34.26	20,221
167	Alangudi	K. V. Subbiah		DMK	32,984	50.64	T. A. S. Thangavelu		INC	32,148	49.36	836
168	Pudukkottai	R. V. Thondaiman		INC	45,342	62.07	Thiagarajan		DMK	25,255	34.57	20,087
169	Thiruvaiyaru	G. M. Sethurar		DMK	37,693	51.94	K. B. Palani		INC	34,165	47.08	3,528
170	Thanjavur	A. Y. S. Parisutha Nadar		INC	33,228	53.36	S. Natarajan		DMK	28,717	46.12	4,511
171	Papanasam	R. S. Mooppanar		INC	41,323	56.57	A. M. Sali		Independent	31,077	42.54	10,246
172	Valangiman	N. Somasundaram		DMK	34,436	53.1	R. Subramaniam		INC	30,418	46.9	4,018
173	Kumbakonam	N. Kasiraman		INC	37,276	50.63	K. S. Mani		DMK	36,083	49.01	1,193
174	Aduthurai	A. Marimuthu		INC	36,537	48.52	M. G. Mani		DMK	31,965	42.45	4,572
175	Sirkazhi	K. B. S. Mani		Independent	34,316	58.23	R. Thangavelu		INC	21,502	36.48	12,814
176	Sembanarkoil	S. Ganesan		DMK	40,453	65.29	S. Ramalingam		INC	21,506	34.71	18,947
177	Mayiladuthurai	N. Kittappa		DMK	33,721	51.21	M.R.Krishnappa		INC	30,379	46.14	3,342
178	Kuttalam	G. B. Mohan		CPI(M)	31,548	53.99	M. Sivakadaksham		INC	24,812	42.47	6,736
179	Kudavasal	C. Krishnamoorthi		DMK	34,880	54.96	M. D. T. Pillai		INC	28,585	45.04	6,295
180	Nannilam	P. Jayaraj		INC	26,053	46.36	T. P. Ramachandran		CPI(M)	19,571	34.83	6,482
181	Thiruvarur	P.S. Dhanushokody		CPI(M)	30,510	48.04	Vedaiyan. V		INC	27,956	44.02	2,554
182	Nagapattinam	K. R. Gnanasambandan		CPI(M)	36,596	56.4	R. R. V. Naidu		INC	26,462	40.78	10,134
183	Vedaranyam	P. V. Thevar		INC	25,942	38.71	M. Meenakshisundaram		DMK	25,678	38.32	264
184	Thiruthuraipoondi	N. Dharumalingam		DMK	23,728	38.04	K. C. Manali		CPI	22,226	35.63	1,502
185	Kottur	A. K. Subbaih		CPI	28,156	42.47	C. M. Ambikapathy		INC	22,627	34.13	5,529
186	Mannargudi	T. S. Swaminatha Odayar		INC	32,481	50.1	S. Narayanaswamy		DMK	31,558	48.67	923
187	Orathanadu	L. Ganesan		DMK	45,232	60.82	M. D. Pillai		INC	29,139	39.18	16,093
188	Gandharvakottai	R. R. Durai		INC	34,665	52.68	D. G. Kalingarar		DMK	30,434	46.25	4,231
189	Pattukkottai	A. R. Marimuthu		PSP	35,198	54.6	N. Ramasamy		INC	28,056	43.52	7,142
190	Peravurani	M. Krishnamurthy		DMK	35,505	45.4	A. V. Servai		INC	26,387	33.74	9,118
191	Aranthangi	A. Thurairasan		DMK	42,943	53.11	K. B. Dervaikarar		INC	36,522	45.17	6,421
192	Tiruppattur (Sivaganga)	S. Madhavan		DMK	40,170	58.73	V. S. S. Chettiar		INC	26,532	38.79	13,638
193	Karaikudi	S. Meiyappan		SWA	38,310	58.73	C. V. C. V. V. Chettiar		INC	21,992	33.71	16,318
194	Tiruvadanai	K. Ambalam		SWA	37,556	52.21	M. Arunachalam		INC	33,587	46.69	3,969
195	Ilayangudi	V. Malaikannan		DMK	40,461	57.44	S. Ramachandran		INC	29,978	42.56	10,483
196	Ramanathapuram	T. Thangappan		DMK	35,880	56.82	S. R. Sethupathy		INC	27,270	43.18	8,610
197	Kadaladi	M. Alangaram		DMK	38,681	61.5	K. Paramalai		INC	20,556	32.68	18,125
198	Mudukulathur	R. R. Thevar		SWA	33,790	53.17	S. A. Servai		INC	22,500	35.4	11,290
199	Paramakudi	T. K. Siraimeetan		DMK	40,428	56.67	R. Thavasi		INC	25,962	36.39	14,466
200	Sivaganga	S. Sethuraman		DMK	41,604	59.22	R. V. Swaminathan		INC	28,654	40.78	12,950
201	Manamadurai	K. Cheemaichamy		SWA	30,752	44.42	C. B. Rena		INC	30,299	43.77	453
202	Kariapatti	A. R. Perumal		SWA	28,484	45.09	P. M. Baskaran		INC	27,366	43.32	1,118
203	Aruppukottai	S. S. Bharathi		SWA	34,153	54.68	T. K. Sundarm		INC	25,012	40.04	9,141
204	Virudhunagar	P. Seenivasan		DMK	33,421	49.9	K. Kamaraj		INC	32,136	47.98	1,285
205	Sattur	S. Ramaswamy Naidu		SWA	45,223	64.11	R. Krishnasamy Naidu		INC	25,313	35.89	19,910
206	Sivakasi	S. Alagu Thevar		SWA	38,416	55.73	R. R. Thevar		INC	26,918	39.05	11,498
207	Srivilliputhur	K. A. A. Gurusamy		DMK	36,732	53.34	S. P. Dharmaraj		INC	27,791	40.36	8,941
208	Rajapalayam	A. A. S. Raja		Independent	38,936	53.29	P. A. A. Raja		INC	25,675	35.14	13,261
209	Vilathikulam	M. Rathinasabapathy		DMK	23,905	37.47	M. P. S. Reddiar		Independent	20,350	31.9	3,555
210	Kovilpatti	S. Alagarsamy		CPI	33,311	55.02	V. O. C. A. Pillai		INC	22,885	37.8	10,426
211	Ottapidaram	M. Muthiah		SWA	25,937	45.45	S. Dhanushkodi		INC	20,814	36.47	5,123
212	Sankarankoil	P. Durairaj		DMK	37,173	62.79	P. Urkavalan		INC	19,211	32.45	17,962
213	Vasudevanallur	A. Velladurai		DMK	33,865	50.24	M. P. Swamy		INC	26,885	39.89	6,980
214	Kadayanallur	A. R. Subbiah Mudaliar		Independent	36,349	49.89	S. M. A. Majid		INC	35,903	49.28	446
215	Tenkasi	I. A. Chidambaram Pillai		INC	34,561	49.86	K. M. K. Samsudin		DMK	33,818	48.79	743
216	Alangulam	Aladi Aruna		DMK	33,509	51.26	A. B. Balagan		INC	30,938	47.32	2,571
217	Ambasamudram	G. G. S. Dikshidar		INC	30,682	46.35	A. Nallasivan		CPI(M)	28,169	42.55	2,513
218	Cheranmahadevi	D. S. Adhimoolam		SWA	36,206	53.78	S. Chellapandian		INC	29,831	44.31	6,375
219	Gangaikondan	A. Karuppiah		DMK	34,797	59.59	M. Chellappa		INC	21,576	36.95	13,221
220	Tirunelveli	A. L. Subramanian		DMK	41,589	61.74	M. S. M. Pillai		INC	25,364	37.65	16,225
221	Melapalayam	M. M. P. Mohammed		Independent	36,123	55.04	S. R. Reddiar		INC	27,999	42.66	8,124
222	Srivaikuntam	S. P. Adithanar		DMK	41,828	62.57	R. Nadar		INC	22,767	34.06	19,061
223	Thoothukkudi	M. S. Sivasami		DMK	41,851	60.61	S. P. Nadar		INC	27,193	39.39	14,658
224	Tiruchendur	E. Fernando		DMK	39,619	56.06	S. Nadar		INC	28,971	40.99	10,648
225	Sattangulam	Martin		INC	31,143	52.51	Adithan		DMK	26,846	45.27	4,297
226	Nanguneri	N. Duraipandian		INC	33,269	53.34	T. G. Nadar		DMK	29,097	46.66	4,172
227	Radhapuram	N. Soundarapandian		INC	31,588	50.44	V. Karthesan		DMK	31,040	49.56	548
228	Kanniyakumari	B. M. Pillai		INC	37,998	56.89	S. M. Pillai		SWA	28,260	42.31	9,738
229	Nagercoil	M. C. Balan		DMK	36,502	55.05	T. Nadar		INC	29,810	44.95	6,692
230	Colachel	A. Chidambaranatha Nadar		INC	29,325	48.37	S. Retnaraj		SWA	27,879	45.99	1,446
231	Padmanabhapuram	V. George		INC	24,661	46.06	M. M. Ali		CPI(M)	17,738	33.13	6,923
232	Thiruvattar	J. James		INC	29,345	54.47	D. Gnanasingamoni		CPI(M)	21,253	39.45	8,092
233	Vilavancode	R. Ponnappan Nadar		INC	27,511	56.19	P. M. N. Pillai		Independent	16,184	33.05	11,327
234	Killiyoor	William		INC	21,423	42.4	Paniadimai		SWA	15,767	31.2	5,656

Analysis

The effective grass roots campaigning by the DMK and the political acumen of Annadurai, defeated the Congress and its leader M. Bhaktavatsalam. The popularity of the United Front was so large that they were able to win an absolute majority in ten out of the 14 districts in the state, while Congress could not accomplish that in a single district. This was largely due to the fact that the United Front was able to capitalize on its growing support in large towns and cities, combined with the decline in Congress support in its traditional Schedule Caste constituencies.^[24]

Margin of Victory

The following table shows the number of seats won by corresponding parties, by the margin of votes.^[24]

Party		Less than 500	500-1000	1000-3000	3000-5000	5000-10000	10000-20000	20000+
	DMK	3	1	10	9	42	56	17
	SWA	—	—	5	1	5	8	1
	INC	5	5	20	10	5	3	1
	CPI(M)	—	—	1	1	4	4	1

Notable losses

The former chief minister and popular leader of the Indian National Congress, K. Kamaraj lost his seat in Virudunagar by 1285 votes to the student leader P. Seenivasan from the DMK. A few days before the election, Kamaraj had an accident and could not campaign. This led to his famous declaration that he would win lying down (Tamil: படுத்துக் கொண்டே ஜெயிப்பேன்).^[7] He lost the election along with the incumbent Chief Minister M. Bakthavatsalam, who lost his seat in Sriperumbudur to D. Rajarathinam from the DMK by 8926 votes. Except for G. Bhuvaraghan (the minister for Information and Publicity), all ministers of the outgoing Bakthavatsalam cabinet were defeated in this election.^[27][28]

There was a post-result wall-painting in Virudhunagar by DMK which said "படிக்காத காமராஜரை படித்த இளைஞன் சீனிவாசன் தோற்கடித்தார்!" ( The illiterate Kamaraj was defeated by Graduate Youth Sreenivasan!). The Congress replied with "படிக்காத முதல்வர் காமராஜர் அன்று கட்டிய அரசு கல்விக்கூடங்களில் படித்து பட்டம் வாங்கிய இளைஞன் சீனிவாசன், இப்போது அதே காமராஜரை தோற்கடித்தான்" ( The Seenivasan who studied and graduated in Education Institutes built under orders of then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu illiterate Kamaraj, has now defeated the same Kamaraj)

Government formation

The election results were announced on 23 February 1967 and the DMK won an absolute majority on its own. It had increased its vote share to 40.6% from 27.1% in 1962 election. Annadurai resigned as the Member of Parliament from the Rajya sabha. Annadurai was nominated as Chief Minister of Madras State and staked a claim to form a Government on 2 March 1967. He was sworn in by Governor Ujjal Singh on 6 March 1967 in Rajaji Hall.^{[citation needed]} He was later elected to the Madras Legislative Council on 22 April 1967.^[29][30]

Annadurai's Cabinet

The council of ministers in C. N. Annadurai's cabinet (6 March 1967 – 10 February 1969) were all from the DMK and they are listed in the following table.^[31]

Minister	Portfolios
C.N. Annadurai	Chief Minister, General Administration, Finance, Civil services, Planning, Police, Prohibition, Overseas Indians, Refugees and Evacuees
V. R. Nedunchezhiyan	Education, Industries, Official Language, Textiles, Yarn, Handlooms, Mines and Minerals, Electricity, Iron and Steel, Companies and Religious Endowments
M. Karunanidhi	Public Works, Highways, Transport, Ports and Minor Irrigation
K. A. Mathialagan	Food, Revenue and Commercial Taxes
A. Govindasamy	Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forests and Chinchona
S. J. Sadiq Pasha	Public Health
Satyavani Muthu	Harijan Welfare and Information
M. Muthuswamy	Local Administration, Community Development, Khadi and Village Industries, Bhoodan and Gramdhan, Ex-servicemen
S. Madhavan	Law, Co-operation and Housing
N. V. Natarajan	Labour

See also

• Indian general election in Madras, 1967
• Elections in Tamil Nadu
• Legislature of Tamil Nadu
• Government of Tamil Nadu

References

1. Shankarlal C. Bhatt (2006). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes. Tamil Nadu. Gyan Publishing House. p. 525. ISBN 978-81-7835-381-4.
2. (PDF). assembly.tn.gov.in. 24 August 1967. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2021.
3. Hardgrave, Robert L. Jr. (Winter 1964–1965). "The DMK and the Politics of Tamil Nationalism". Pacific Affairs. Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia. 37 (4): 410. doi:10.2307/2755132. JSTOR 2755132.
4. Chandra, Kanchan (15 February 2007). Why Ethnic Parties Succeed: Patronage and Ethnic Head Counts in India. Cambridge University Press. p. 276. ISBN 978-0-521-89141-7. from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
5. , The Hindu, 9 April 2009, archived from the original on 12 April 2009, retrieved 16 November 2009
6. "The politics of rice", The Hindu Business Line, 12 May 2006, from the original on 17 May 2008, retrieved 16 November 2009
7. "The politics of Bioscope - Part 12, Thinnai.com (in Tamil)". from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
8. Velayutham, Selvaraj (2001). Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry. New York: Routledge. p. 116. ISBN 0-415-39680-8. from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
9. In India the term "Contest" is used to denote participation in an election. The Representation of People Act of 1951, the legislation which governs elections in India uses the term and so does the Election Commission of India.. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
10. . periyar.org. Archived from the original on 30 January 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
11. . Archived from the original on 24 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
12. . Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
13. B. N. Pandey (1977). Leadership in South Asia. p. 434.
14. Menon, Mukundan C. (18 March 1989), "How the Communists Fared", Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 549–550, JSTOR 4394522
15. Jayakanthan, D (2006). A Literary Man's Political Experiences. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-4067-3569-7. from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
16. Selvaraj Velayudham (2008). Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry. Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 9780415396806. from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
17. "The politics of Bioscope - Part 11, Thinnai.com (in Tamil)". from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
18. "The politics of Bioscope - Part 20, Thinnai.com (in Tamil)". from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
19. . Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
20. Madras (1968). Madras State administration report. from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
21. (PDF). 19 April 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012.
22. Karunakaran, Kotta P. (1975). Coalition governments in India: problems and prospects. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. p. 233.
23. "Tamil Nadu 1967".
24. Siddhartan, N. S. (17 June 1967). "Voting Pattern in the Fourth General Election. I: D M K Success in Madras". Economic and Political Weekly. 2 (24): 1083–88. JSTOR 4358065.
25. India, a reference annual. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1967. p. 437. from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
26. Ross Barnett, Marguerite (1975). Electoral politics in the Indian states: party systems and cleavages. Manohar Book Service. p. 86. from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
27. Kandaswamy. P (2008). The political Career of K. Kamaraj. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 116–18. ASIN B00069WY4K. from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
28. Election rewind (in Tamil)^{[permanent dead link]}
29. Pushpa Iyengar, Sugata Srinivasaraju, "Where The Family Heirs Loom", Outlook India, from the original on 26 April 2010, retrieved 16 November 2009
30. Gopal K. Bharghava, Shankarlal C. Bhatt (2005). Land and people of Indian states and union territories. 25. Tamil Nadu. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. p. 525. ISBN 81-7835-356-3.
31. India, a reference annual. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1968. p. 447. from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2016.

External links