Chennai: A Historic Hub of Political Coalitions

Context:

Chennai has long served as a significant venue for political gatherings, notably in the 1980s and 2000s, hosting leaders who shaped India’s opposition politics. The recent launch of the Joint Action Committee on Fair Delimitation by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin on March 25, 2025, echoes these past efforts, highlighting the city’s enduring role in fostering coalition-building and addressing national issues like delimitation.

Key Information Points:

• Recent Event (2025): Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched the Joint Action Committee on Fair Delimitation in Chennai, reviving memories of historical coalition attempts over the past 35 years.
• 1988 National Front Meeting: On September 17, 1988, Chennai hosted a key National Front (NF) meeting with leaders like Surjit Singh Barnala, Ajit Singh, N.T. Rama Rao, V.P. Singh, M. Karunanidhi, and Biju Patnaik, signaling opposition unity against the Congress.
• Strategic Choice of Chennai: Karunanidhi cited DMK’s organizational strength, Chennai’s 200-year political legacy, Tamil Nadu’s upcoming election, and countering Congress’s north-south divide narrative as reasons for choosing the city.
• Visual Impact: During the 1988 meet, DMK’s red and black flags dominated Chennai, with other NF parties’ flags less visible, showcasing DMK’s local dominance.
• Political Outcome: Four months later, DMK won the 1989 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, with Karunanidhi becoming CM after 13 years; NF formed the central government with V.P. Singh as PM later that year.
• 2006 Anti-CAA Rally: On January 26, 2006, M. Karunanidhi organized a massive rally in Chennai against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2005, drawing leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Ram Vilas Paswan, and Prakash Karat.
• Coalition Dynamics: The 2006 rally strengthened the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), which swept the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls that year and supported the UPA at the Centre.
• Historical Parallel: Both events underscore Chennai’s role as a launchpad for opposition coalitions, leveraging Tamil Nadu’s political weight and DMK’s mobilizing capacity.
• Current Relevance: The 2025 delimitation committee reflects ongoing concerns about equitable representation, a recurring theme in Tamil Nadu’s political strategy.

Key Terms:

• National Front (NF): A coalition of opposition parties formed in 1988 to challenge Congress dominance.
• Joint Action Committee: A 2025 initiative led by M.K. Stalin to address fair delimitation of constituencies.
• Delimitation: The process of redrawing electoral boundaries, impacting parliamentary representation.
• Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA): A DMK-led coalition in Tamil Nadu, prominent in the 2000s.
• Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): A 2005 law amended citizenship rules, sparking protests in 2006.
• Opposition Unity: Collaborative efforts by non-ruling parties to counter the central government.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/when-chennai-played-host-to-meetings-of-a-galaxy-of-leaders-in-1980s-and-2000s/article69372604.ece