• Political parties are an essential part of Democracy.
• Parties are the link between Government and the people.
• A political party is an organisation formed by a group of people with a certain ideology and agenda to contest elections and hold Power in the government.
• A political party has three components: a leader, active Members and the followers.

Types of a Party System:

There are three types of party system in the World namely.

• Single-party system in which one Ruling party exists and no opposition is permitted. China, Cuba, the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) is the examples for the Single-party system.
• Two-party system in which only two Major parties exist, for example, USA, UK.
• Multi-party system in which there are more Than two political parties, for example, India, Sri Lanka, France and Italy.

Types of Political Parties

• Political parties in India are classified According to their area of influence into two Main types
• National parties
• State parties

National Parties

• A party which is recognised as a state Party in at least four states is recognised as a national party.
• Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission While the Commission treats all the parties equally.
• It offers some special facilities to State and national parties.
• These parties are given a unique symbol.
• Only the official Candidate of the party can use that election Symbol.
• In 2023 here were nine recognised National parties.

State Parties

• Other than the seven national parties, most of the major parties of the country are classified by the Election Commission as ‘state parties’.
• These are commonly referred to as regional parties.
• A party is recognised as a state party by the Election Commission of India based on certain percentage of votes Secured or a certain number of seats won in the Assembly or Lok Sabha elections.

Madras Native Association

• The Madras Native Association (MNA) was the earliest organisation to be founded in South India to articulate larger public rather than sectarian interests.
• It was started by Gazulu Lakshminarasu, Srinivasanar and their Associates in 1852.
• It consisted primarily of Merchants.
• The objective was to promote the Interests of its members and their focus was on Reduction in taxation.
• It also protested against the support of the government to Christian Missionary activities.
• It drew the attention of the Government to the condition and needs of the people.
• One of the important contributions of the MNA was its agitation against Torture of the peasants by Revenue officials.
• These efforts Led to the establishment of the torture Commission and the eventual abolition of the Torture Act, which justified the collection of land revenue through torture.
• However, by 1862, the Madras Native Association had ceased to exist.

Madras Mahajana Sabha

• Madras Mahajana Sabha (MMS) was the earliest organisation in south India with clear Nationalist objectives.
• On 16 May 1884 MMS was started by M. Veeraraghavachari, P. Anandacharlu, P. Rangaiah and few others. P. Rangaiah became its first president.
• Anandacharlu played an active role as its secretary.
• The members met periodically, debated public issues in closed meetings, conducted hall meetings and communicated their views to the government.
• Its demands included conduct of simultaneous Civil services examinations in England and India, Abolition of the Council of India in London, Reduction of taxes and reduction of civil and military expenditure.
• Many of its demands were adopted later by the Indian National Congress Founded in 1885.
• Provincial associations such as the Madras Mahajana Sabha led to the formation of an All-India organisation, the Indian National Congress Leaders from different parts of India attended several meetings before the Formation of the Congress.
• One such meeting was held in December 1884 in Theosophical Society at Adyar.
• It was attended by Dadabhai Naoroji, K.T. Telang, Surendranath Banerjee and other prominent leaders apart from G. Subramaniam, Rangaiah and Anandacharlu from Madras.
• The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1885 at Bombay.
• Out of a total of 72 delegates 22 members were from Madras.
• The second session of the Indian National Congress was held in Calcutta in 1886, with Dadabhai Naoroji in the Chair.
• The third session was held at Makkis Garden, now known as the Thousand lights, in Madras in 1887 with Badruddin Tyabji as president.
• Out of the 607 all India delegates of 362 were from Madras Presidency.

The South Indian Liberal Federation

• The non-Brahmins organised themselves into political organisations to protect their Interests.
• In 1912 the Madras Dravidian Association was founded.
• Natesanar played an active role as its secretary.
• In June 1916 he established the Dravidian Association Hostel for Non-Brahmin students.
• On 20 November 1916 a meeting of about thirty non-Brahmins was held under the leadership of P. Thyagarayar, Dr. T.M. Nair and C. Natesanar at Victoria Public Hall in Chennai.
• The South Indian Liberal Federation (SILF) was founded to promote the Interests of the non-Brahmins.

Justice Ministry

• The Congress boycotted the elections of 1920.
• The Justice Party won 63 of 98 elected seats In the Legislative Council.
• Subburayalu of the Justice Party became the first chief minister.
• After the 1923 elections, Raja of Panagal of the Justice Party formed the ministry.

Rise of the Dravidian Movement

• The Dravidian Movement emerged as a defence of the non-Brahmins against the Brahmin dominance.
• An organisation called the Madras Non-Brahmin Association Was founded in 1909 to help the non-Brahmin students.
• In 1912 C. Natesanar, a medical doctor, founded the Madras United League, later renamed as Madras Dravidian Association to support Dravidian uplift.
• The organisation focused on educating and supporting non-Brahmin Graduates and conducting regular meetings to Share their grievances.
• Meanwhile, Natesanar founded a hostel, the Dravidian Home, at Triplicane (Madras) in July 1916 to address the Lack of hostels for the non-Brahmin students which hindered their educational development.
• In addition, the home had a literary society for the benefit of non-Brahmin students.

South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party)

• On 20 November 1916 around 30 prominent non-Brahmin leaders including Dr. C. Natesanar, Sir Pitti Theyagarayar, T.M. Nair and Alamelu Mangai Thayarammal came together to form the South Indian Liberation Federation (SILF). In the meantime, at a Meeting held in the Victoria Public Hall the Non-Brahmin Manifesto was released in December 1916.
• The manifesto articulated the Voice of the non-Brahmin communities.
• The association started publishing three Newspapers: Dravidian in Tamil, Justice in English and Andhra Prakasika in Telugu, to propagate the ideals of the Party.
• The first election, under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was held in 1920 after the introduction of the dyarchy form of Government in the provinces.
• The Justice Party Won the election and formed the first-ever Indian Cabinet in Madras.
• Subbarayalu became the Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency and the party formed the government during 1920–1923 and 1923–1926.
• In the context of Congress Party boycotting the legislature, the Justice Party continued to remain in office till 1937 elections were held.
• In the 1937 elections the Indian National Congress contested the Elections for the first time and trounced the Justice Party.

Programmes and Activities

• The Justice Party is the fountain head of the non-Brahmin Movement in the country.
• The Justice Party government widened Education and employment opportunities for the majority of the population and created Space for them in the political sphere.
• The Justicites removed the legal Hindrances restricting Inter-caste marriages and broke the barriers that prevented Depressed Classes from the use of public Wells and tanks.
• The Justice Party government ordered that public schools accommodate the Children of the Depressed Classes.
• Hostels were established for the students belonging to this social group in 1923.
• In the meantime, The Madras legislature under the Justice party government was the first to approve Participation of women in the electoral politics in 1921.
• This resolution created space for Woman and thus facilitated Muthulakshmi Ammaiyar to become the first woman legislator In India in 1926.
• The Justice Party worked towards legislating Provisions for communal representation – Reservations for various communities.
• Two Communal Government Orders (16 September 1921 and 15 August 1922) were passed to ensure equitable distribution in appointments among various castes and communities as a Part of achieving social justice.
• The Justice Party rule established the Staff Selection Board in 1924 for the selection of government Officials and encouraged all the communities to share the administrative powers.
• In 1929, The Government of British India adopted the Pattern and established the Public Service Commission.
• The Justice Party further concentrated on Reforms in religious institutions.
• The Justice Party Introduced the Hindu Religious Endowment (HRE) Act in 1926 and enabled any individual, Irrespective of their caste affiliation, to become a member of the temple committee and govern the resources of the religious institutions.

First Communal Representation Order

• During the rule of Justice Party in Chennai Presidency, the demand for communal representation reflected in vigorous manner.
• The prolonged Struggle for communal representation by Justice Party and wide support from the People propelled the central government to make resolution in this regard in 1921.
• This resolution, later on was called as Communal Representation Decree.
• It is the red lettered day in Indian History, lower caste groups, who were Suppressed and deprived of Social and Economical condition for many centuries had fullest confidence to lead their life with Self-respect and dignity by this decree.
• A resolution was submitted by munusamy the member of legislative Assembly in Chennai.
• The Resolution Reads; “Non-Brahmins with minimum Educational qualification should be provided with employment opportunity.
• Non-Brahmins specifically, Christians, Muslims and lower caste groups to be appointed in all government services.
• For this, a permanent order should be legalized.
• If salary is above Rs.100, this order should be implemented for 7years until it reaches 75% of the population”.
• With regard to this resolution, R. K. Shanmugam stated that “If this historical and land mark Resolution is implemented, the future Generation may really appreciate our Truthful efforts towards emancipation”.
• In supporting this view, Dr. C. Natesan voiced that “If fair representation is not provided for our people, we will not pay taxes”.
• Periyar, E.V.Ramaswamy, a staunch Supporter of congress party also eulogized the ideas of Justice Party; he expressed the same demand in Congress Party.
• In 1925, During the Kanchipuram Congress Party Conference, Periyar passed a resolution regarding communal representation in Education and employment.
• Periyar came out of congress party, since his resolution was rejected by the high command.
• In 1928, during the leadership of R. Muthiah, (Justice Party), Communal representation was passed and implemented in all the Government departments.

Contributions of Justice Party

• In spite of the fluctuating fortunes in the subsequent elections, the Justice party Continued to hold power from 1921 to 1937.
• They introduced a number of Reforms.
• Through communal Government Order they ensured adequate number of Opportunities to every category of non-Brahmin communities.
• They removed Discrimination against Sudras and Panchamas in public roads, transports, Restaurants and public wells.
• They regulated the temple affairs through the Newly constituted Hindu Religious Endowment Board, earmarked plots of Land for the Panchamas (Panchami Land)
• Introduced new township and industrial Estates.
• Special efforts were taken to Provide education for the children of Depressed classes.
• For the first time they Experimented with “Noon Meal Scheme” In a few schools.
• Knowledge of Sanskrit as the basic eligibility for medical Education was removed which facilitated Non-brahmin students gaining entry into Medical education.
• On an initiative from Dr. Muthulakshmi and others, Devadasi System was abolished in Tami Nadu and Women were enfranchised.
• Co-operative Societies were promoted.
• Mirasdari system was abolished, and a Number of irrigation Schemes were Introduced in 1923.
• Annamalai University (1929) and Andhra University (1926) were founded during their regime.
• It was the Justice Party which provided the most successful government under the Dyarchy though they were assigned only a few Departments.

Decline of Justice Party

• By 1929, the Self-Respect Movement Had becomes a formidable movement in the Madras Presidency.
• In 1930’s the Justice Party began to face decline in the political Sphere of the province.
• There were three Major factors responsible for this decline.
• Firstly, the party lost its support among the Depressed sections of the society and Minorities.
• Secondly the Self-Respect Movement, under Periyar had become more radical.
• Finally, the elitist and pro-British outlook of Justice Party had also contributed significantly for its decline.

Salem Conference, 1944

• In 1944, at Salem conference under the Leadership of Periyar, a historic resolution was moved to change the name of Justice Party to Dravidar Kazhagam (DK).
• Periyar Organised ‘Dravida Nadu’ conference and demanded an independent homeland for ‘Dravidians’.
• Further, he pronounced his Very famous slogan ‘Dravida Nadu for Dravidians’ at the conference.
• Apart from separate ‘Dravida Nadu’ Demand, the Dravidar Kazhagam wanted to establish casteless society, condemned Irrational and demeaning religious rituals, Traditions and superstitious in Dravidian Society.
• The Dravidar Kazhagam became Very popular in many rural and urban Masses, especially among the students.
• Many non-Brahmin leaders and students have changed their name reflecting Tamil Identity.

Rajaji Regime (1952-54)

• The politics of Madras State in India witnessed the continuation of Struggle between Status quoists and reformists.
• Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) who led the First elected ministry in the Madras, Under the Republican Constitution, again Reduced the number of schools, attempted to impose Hindi in schools and Modified Scheme of Elementary Education which Provided for part time learning of Hereditary occupations popularly known as kulakalvi.
• Dravidian leaders launched a state wide protest against movement.
• Even a section of Congress leaders resented Rajaji’s proposals which led to change in Chief Ministership.

Kamaraj Era (1954-1963)

• Kamaraj abolished the Modified Scheme of Elementary Education, Increased manifold the number of schools, built a number of dams for improving Irrigation, provided more industrial Estates and ensured astonishing industrial Growth in the state.
• He made education more accessible to poor and rural children.
• Kamaraj also introduced the noon-meal Scheme for school children.
• In 1963, Kamaraj resigned (Kamaraj Plan) his chief ministership to become the President of Indian National Congress and M. Bhaktavatchalam took over the reins of the government.
• The Food shortage and anti-Hindi agitation caused the un-Popularity of his ministry.

Dravidian Parties Rule

• In the general elections of 1967, the congress party was defeated.
• The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam formed the Government.
• The provision of affordable universal Housing for poor, precursor to food Security (Rice scheme) and establishment of Slum Clearance Board have substantially Improved and received support among the urban poor people also.
• Significantly, the government renamed the State from Madras to Tamil Nadu in the year 1969.

The other major achievements of the Party were:

• Nationalisation of Bus routes larger than 75 miles.
• Waiver of Tuition fee for poor students of all castes in pre-University and pre-technical courses.
• Second World Tamil Conference was organised.
• Supply of subsidised rice for people of Tamil Nadu.
• Dravidian Rule in Post-Independence Tamil Nadu for the past 62 years Dravidian Parties have been ruling Tamil Nadu.
• Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam decided to enter electoral politics in 1957 and gave up its “Dravida Nadu” demand consequent to Chinese aggression of Indian territories and to overcome newly amended electoral Laws.
• It won a majority in 1967 elections.
• Annadurai ruled for a brief period (1967-69), yet he renamed Madras state as Tamil Nadu, passed civil marriages act, rejected three language policies of central Government and enforced a two languages (English & Tamil) policy in Tamil Nadu.
• For the first time, he introduced a Subsidized rice (one measure one rupee) Scheme.
• His successor M. Karunanidhi continued his legacy.
• In 1972, M. G. Ramachandran founded his own Dravidian Party (All Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – AIADMK).
• He Captured power in 1977 and retained the same till his death in 1987.
• Thereafter, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam under M.Karunanidhi and Selvi J. Jayalalitha of All Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led ministries in alternative Elections.
• Besides, these two, there are a few Other Dravidian parties like Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
• More than, six decades of Dravidian Rule contributed remarkably to the Development of Tamil.
• They steadfastly protected the interest of Tamil language, Tamil people and Tamil Nadu.
• A number of welfare schemes were introduced to alleviate the suffering of common people.
• They ensured food security through Subsidized and later free rice schemes, Nutritious meal scheme, free education Until under graduate level, free electricity for farming, abolition of cycle rickshaws and manual scavenging, cradle baby Scheme for the abandoned children, and Welfare boards for various unorganized Workers, and even for transgender.
• As a Remedy to ruinous caste conflicts,
• ‘Samathuvapuram’ and ‘Uzhavarsanthai’ were created.
• Free electricity was provided to huts, Slum clearance board met the housing requirements of slum dwellers.
• The Phenomenal increase in industrial activity increased the opportunities for youth; as a result of these developments Tamil Nadu Registered a high ranking in HDI (Human Development Index).
• Today, Tamil Nadu is in prominent position in promoting Automobile industries, electronics, and in pharmaceutical industries.
• Its new Economic zones are attracting huge Investments.
• Tamil Nadu’s achievements in Infrastructural development are acclaimed by all.
• Roads, harbours, electrification and availability of skilled labour facilitate Industrial development.
• There has been a manifold increase in the number of schools of different Categories.
• There is a manifold increase in the number of universities.
• Tamil Nadu has exclusive universities for women, Engineering and technology, law, Medicine, siddha medicine, sports etc.
• Promotion of Tamil language, through Tamil university, ulaga Tamil araichi Niruvanam, world Tamil conference and ulaga tamil semmozhi conference, and script reforms, led to all-round Advancement of Tamil language.
• The Dravidian parties since the days of Aringnar Anna have been championing the Cause of secularism and autonomy of the States.
• The Dravidian parties have also been contributing substantially to national Politics.
• Dravidian political stream Continues to be formidable in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Schemes

Iconic Projects:

• Such Projects in various Sectors, namely, Energy, Water and Sanitation, Industrial Corridors, Tidel Parks, Elevated Road Projects, Outer Ring Roads, Bridges, Heritage Projects, Transport Projects, Schools of Excellence, Environment Projects, Multi-speciality Hospitals, Fishing Harbours, construction of Modern Rice Mills and Godowns, IT Projects, Irrigation Projects, Sports Stadiums, etc., have been identified as Iconic Projects.

Priority Schemes:

• Improvements in Health, Education, Employment generation, Livelihood promotion, provision of basic amenities, Housing, etc

Samathuvapuram Scheme

• To promote social justice and spread the message of social equality, the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1997-98 launched a scheme called “Samathuvapuram housing scheme” in G.O.(Ms). No.171, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, dated 22.10.1997.

“Kala Aayvil Mudhalamaichar”

Chief Minister’s Regional Field Visits

• Field inspections which are most important to ensure that the benefits fully reach the targeted population without delay.
• Regular review of progress made in the implementation of various Government Schemes and Programmes combined with inspections at various levels.
• Regional Level Review Meetings are conducted.
• Each Region comprises of 4 to 5 districts.

 Ungal Thoguthiyil Mudhalamaichar

• This Scheme aims to address the long pending needs of the people in the Assembly Constituency areas.
• All the Members of Legislative Assembly in the State to furnish a list of ten hitherto unfulfilled important Projects that are the felt needs of the local public to their respective District Collectors.
• In the above guidelines, a District Level Committee has been constituted in each district under the Chairmanship of District Collector, with Member of Legislative Assembly concerned and District Level Officers of various departments as members.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme (TNCMFP) has been announced with a view to harness the talents of Young Professionals from diverse professional and academic backgrounds in the implementation of the various flagship and priority schemes of the State Government.
• Given a monthly remuneration of Rs.65,000/- and an additional allowance of Rs.10,000/.
• After Completion of Orientation Programme, out of the 30 Fellows selected, 24 Fellows are involved in Thematic Monitoring and Evaluation of the Sectoral programmes and attached to the Departments concerned. Six Fellows have been attached to Special Programme Implementation Department Monitoring Cell.

Naan Mudhalvan

• “Naan Mudhalvan” is a massive skilling initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu to empower the youth of the State to gain industry-relevant employable skills.
• Naan Mudhalvan provides students with skilling courses that are relevant to careers and domains they want to work in.
• These courses are provided for the youth between the ages of 18-35 across the State.
• These courses cover skills in a wide array of domains such as Emerging Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Green jobs, Information Technology (IT) and IT Enable Services (ITeS), Retail, Beauty, Construction, Electronics and Hardware, Food Processing, Logistics, etc.

Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation

• Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation was formed with the objective to increase skilled manpower in the State to fulfil skill needs of industries.
• It was started as a Skill Mission in 2009.
• Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) has been declared as the Nodal Agency for skill related training and aims to catalyse the skill development ecosystem in the State.
• Tamil Nadu is one of the few States in the Country with equitable industrial growth, having diversified presence across all districts. Tamil Nadu is a leader in Automobiles, Auto Components, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Textile Products, Chemicals, Leather Products, Plastics, etc., and ranks first in the number of factories and in Industry workforce.
• Tamil Nadu is witnessing large investments in areas such as Electric Vehicles, Fintech, Big Data and Analytics, Metaverse, Advanced manufacturing, Defence manufacturing, etc…
• Skill Development is one of the priorities for the State of Tamil Nadu given:
• Demographics of the State,
• Highly industrialized economy with the need for reskilling and
• Emphasis on social justice and equitable model of growth.
• Tamil Nadu is among the States having the highest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 51.42% indicating the preference of Tamil Nadu youth for higher education avenues thereby resulting in higher aspirations in employment.
• Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation has an integrated skill database of 1,61,138 candidates across various departments in 37 different sectors.

World Skills Competitions 2022

• A total of 36 candidates have represented Tamil Nadu in the India Skills 2021 final competition held at New Delhi.

Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness For Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP)

• The Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) was launched to strengthen institutional mechanisms for skill development and increase access to quality.
• The main objective of the project includes strengthening institutional mechanisms at both National and State levels.

Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centre (TNASDC)

• The Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centres have been formed with the objective of accelerating high end skilling in sectors such as Health, Construction, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services & Insurance), Automobiles & Auto components and Logistics.

Naan Mudhalvan for Engineering Colleges

• Skill Based Courses are being offered to Engineering students under skill enhancement initiative of Government of Tamil Nadu, through Naan Mudhalvan scheme.
• Naan Mudhalvan for Arts and Science Colleges Naan Mudhalvan Upskilling Initiative for even semester students (2022-23) for Arts and Science Colleges across 10 Universities in Tamil Nadu was rolled out by the end of January 2023

Faculty Development Programme

• As advised by the Board, all the mandatory credit programmes included faculty orientation or Faculty Development Programme (FDP) to ensure sustainability of the skill initiatives at Colleges and Universities.

Naan Mudhalvan Portal for Upskilling, Career Guidance and Placement

Naan Mudhalvan – Competitive Exams

• In order to increase the number of youths from Tamil Nadu clear the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC, a special incentive scheme has been introduced in the Tamil Nadu Budget 2023-24.
• Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation will implement the scheme in coordination with Anna Staff Administrative College to help civil services aspirants to access better coaching facilities and materials.
• Every year, 1000 civil services aspirants will be shortlisted through a screening test.
• Each aspirant will be provided Rs.7500/- (Rupees Seven Thousand and Five Hundred only) per month for 10 months to prepare for the preliminary examination.
• Those students who clear the preliminary examination will be provided a lumpsum amount of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand only).