Tamil Nadu state assembly election, 1977

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, 1977

← 1971 June 10, 1977 1980 →
All 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
First party Second party   Leader M. G. Ramachandran M. Karunanidhi Party AIADMK DMK Alliance ADMK+ N/A Leader's seat Aruppukottai Anna Nagar Seats won 144 48 Seat change 142 136 Popular vote 5,734,692 4,258,771 Percentage 33.52% 24.89% Swing n/a 23.69%   Third party Fourth party   Leader G. K. Moopanar P. Ramachandran Party INC Janata Party Alliance INC+ N/A Leader's seat did not contest did not contest Seats won 32 10 Seat change 24 10 Popular vote 3,491,390 2,851,884 Percentage 20.40% 16.67% Swing n/a n/a
1977 election map (by constituencies)
Chief Minister before election President's rule Nonpartisan Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran AIADMK

President's rule
Nonpartisan

M. G. Ramachandran
AIADMK

The sixth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held on June 10, 1977. Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) won the election defeating its rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), the ADMK founder and a leading Tamil film actor, was sworn in as Chief Minister for the first time. The election was a four cornered contest between the ADMK, DMK, the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Janata Party. Earlier in 1972, MGR had founded the ADMK following his explulsion from the DMK after differences arose between him and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. On 31 January 1976, Karunanidhi's government was dismissed by the central government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi citing corruption charges against Karunanidhi and President's rule was imposed on the state. Karunanidhi had been at odds with Indira Gandhi over his opposition to Emergency and allied with Janata Party founded by Jayaprakash Narayan. Meanwhile, MGR had developed a close relationship with Indira and supported the Emergency. MGR remained as Chief Minister until his death in 1987, winning the next two elections held in 1980 and 1984.

DMK gradually weakened in the years after the previous election due to several splits caused by the exit of many influential leaders including MGR. The popularity of the party was further undermined by widespread corruption allegations. Cracks began to appear in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam before 1971 election. K. A. Mathiazhagan was removed from office of the minister of Finance as he was considered a serious threat to Karunanidhi's leadership. Sathyavani Muthu, an influential dalit leader left the party in 1972 citing lack of concern for dalit issues within the party and formed Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam. MGR was expelled on October 10, 1972, in a disciplinary action for his attacks against party leadership for alleged corruption and dictatorial behaviour. He formed a new party Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. ADMK won the Dindigul by-election held in 1973.V. R. Nedunchezhiyan along with some senior party leaders left Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in March 1977 to form Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.