ABSTRACT
The general election for Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly was held in the year 1967. Under this period there was a great political change in the country. It was the Congress Party members who fought for the freedom for our nation. This party had ruled over the country for 30 years with a great success. But, the present situations were reversed because the 1967 election has laid down the victory of Congress Party. There were two major coalitions running in the election between Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Indian National Congress. In 1967, Congress Party lost the election for the following reasons. i. Anti Hindi agitation, ii. Shortage of rice and iii. M.G.R. geen shot. After the expulsion of K. Kamaraj, the D.M.K Party joined hands with the Congress Party. This paper provides in detail the failure of Congress Party in Tamilnadu 1967 general election.
INTRODUCTION
The general election for Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly was held in the year 1967. Under this period there was a great political change in the country. It was the Congress Party members who fought for the freedom for our nation. This party had ruled over the country for 30 years with a great success. But the present situations were reversed because the 1967 election has laid down the victory of Congress Party.
There were two major coalitions running in the election between Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Indian National Congress. The other supporters who belonged to D.M.K Party were the Swatantra Party, Indian Union Muslim League, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Tamil Arasu Kazhagam, Praja Socialist Party and we Tamil party. They campaigned together for the general election against the Congress Party.1
Polls in Tamilnadu were held successfully. Among 173 seats, D.M.K. and its allies won 138 seats (41.38%). The Indian National Congress won only 50 seats (40.59%), against 233 seats. The result was a victory for the Dravida Munitra Kazhagam. C.N. Annadurai won the election defeating the Indian National Congress.2
The Congress Party began to show weakness after the 1967 election. In the general election every Congress ministers were put up into trouble as they lost the seats. The Congress Minister Poovalagan was the only triumphant to win over in the general election.3
A part from the State Ministers, the Central Ministers also took part in the election. The Central Ministers C.Subramaniam, A.V.Ashokan, C.R.Pattabiraman, Mrs.Soundram Ramachandran, Mrs.Marahatham Chandra sekar also lost the election.4
Above all there failures, there was a great loser fall in the Congress Party. The Chief Minister and popular leader of the Indian national congress, K.Kamaraj lost his seat in his own home town Viruthunagar, the lost his seat to a twenty eight years old student leader P.Seenivasan from the D.M.K.5
The Head of the Indian National Congress, K.Kamaraj’s downfall in the election has led to many controversies among people. They put forth many reasons for his decline. The major issue is the rise in the essential commodity prices and food crisis. The second reason is the Central Government led by the Indian National Congress had implemented an act of replacing English with Hindi as an official language.6
In 1967, M.R.Radha, an actor joined the Congress Party to support Kamaraj. In the same year, M.R.Radha shot M.G.Ramachandran in the throat, who was believed to be the future Chief Minster. M.G.Ramachandran was the heart-mate of Annadurai which was another cause laid for the fall of Congress Party. The gun shot incident helped to increase the popularity wave for M.G.R. He was able to gain support and sympathy from people.7
In Tamilnadu the Congress Party fared poorly in the election. The administration of Chief Minster Bhaktavatsalam was mocked at. During Bhaktavatsala’s reign the political and economic condition appeared unfavorable for conducting a good administration. So he was condemned by K.Kamaraj in the election campaign. This reduced the image of the Congress Government.8
The D.M.K election manifesto titled ‘Annavin Uruthi Mozhi’ attracted the people. In the election Manifesto the D.M.K. Government had promised to supply one padi rice for one rupee, and to reduce the price for other food commodities. This laid to the victory of D.M.K and loss for the Congress Party.9
Kamaraj felt that he has gained great reputation and fame among his people (Viruthunagar). He build castle in air thinking that people of Viruthunagar will caste their vote for him. With his thought he didn’t campaign in his own home town. This was said to be the other reason for his defeat.10
The effective campaigning carried out by D.M.K and the political speech given by Annadurai helped to gain support for the Congress Party. In an open air conference Anna talked against the anti-Hindi agitation. He replaced the slogans “Docon with Hindi, Long live the Republic”.11
The economical changes made by Indira Gandhi created a great agitation among people during this period. S.K.Patil Athulya Gosh and other leaders claim that, “Economical conflict has led people to turn against the Congress.”
The Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi grew authoritative and autocratic in here rule. As the Congress Party lacked certain economic policies it was in trouble. The 1967 election was grim for the party. 12
The leaders or members of the Congress Party were great men. They maintained a high position in the society. the party members didn’t have any intimate terms with the down-trodden.
Annadurai made use of the situation, and in the election campaign Anna employed certain tactics to attract the down-trodden. This paved way for the victory of D.M.K government. 13
In 1967 Congress Party lost the election for the following reasons. i. Anti Hindi agitation, ii. Shortage of rice and iii. M.G.R. geen shot.14
After the defeat of the Congress Party M.Bhaktavatsalam passed on a resolution stating that “he is ready to accept people’s judgment.” Next the congratulated the upcoming D.M.K. rulers. He decries “that he is able to see some poisonous germs spreading throughout the state. God has to save people from this entangles.”15
Kamaraj a progressive man unfortunately got swept away in the general election (1967). Hearing to the defeat Annadurai was disturbed very much and said that he was not able to accept the defeat of Kamaraj.’
The Congress Party put farther more strengthen to meet the challenge. But their occurred a split between the two parties in the year (1969). After the expulsion of K. Kamaraj the D.M.K party joined hands with the congress party.16
– R.Ganthimathi
Ph.D Research Scholar, Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil.
References
1. N.V.Kalaimani, Dhesiya Dhalaivar Kamarajar, Chennai, June 2002, p. 412.
2. A. Kopanna, Kamaraj Oru Sagaptham, Surya Publications, July 2003, p.170.
3. N.V.Kalaimani, Dhesiya Dhalaivar Kamarajar , Chennai, June 2002, p.415.
4. Ibid, p.413.
5. P.C.Ganesan, Bharat Peruthalaviar Kamaraj, Malarvili Publications, November 1975, p.177.
6. D.M.Kaliyappa, Kamaraj Thaniperthalaivar, Devi Publications 1995, p.40.
7. P.C.Ganesan, Bharat Peruthalaivar Kamaraj, Malarvili Publications, November 1975, P-178.
8. Murasoli dated 20.10.66.
9. S.Govinda Rajlu “Sago”, Gandhiji Adisuvattel Kamaraj.
10. P.C.Ganesan, Bharat Peruthalaivar Kamaraj, Malarvili Publications, November 1975, p.176.
11. Ibid, p.181.
12. Kopanna, Kamaraj our Sagaptham, Surya Publications, July 2003, p.174.
13. Ibid.
14. Dhinamani dated 25.2.67
15. Dhinamani dated 25.2.67
16. Ibid.