Tue Jan 28 23:03:08 IST 2025: ## Biju Patnaik’s Failed Bid to Unite DMK and AIADMK: A 45-Year-Old Story Revisited

**Chennai, January 28, 2025** – A previously unreported attempt by former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik to unite the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1979 has resurfaced, highlighting a pivotal moment in Tamil Nadu’s political history. The revelation comes courtesy of a recent interview with DMK general secretary Duraimurugan, who recounted the events as described by the late M. Karunanidhi.

In September 1979, amidst the political instability following the collapse of the Janata Party government, Patnaik, then Union Minister, orchestrated a series of meetings between DMK president Karunanidhi and AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in Chennai. The goal: to create a formidable force to prevent Indira Gandhi’s return to power.

Patnaik facilitated meetings between the two leaders over two days, culminating in a crucial half-hour private discussion between Karunanidhi and MGR. Karunanidhi outlined conditions for the merger, including the DMK retaining its name and flag, MGR remaining Chief Minister, and the withdrawal of a government order introducing an income limit for reservation benefits. While MGR initially appeared to agree, he later reversed his stance, publicly declaring the AIADMK’s strength and rejecting the merger.

This decision, according to Karunanidhi’s accounts and subsequent reporting in *The Hindu*, proved fatal to the union. The failure was attributed to MGR’s backtracking on the withdrawal of the “creamy layer” provision in the reservation policy. Subsequently, Karunanidhi formed an alliance with Indira Gandhi’s Congress(I) for the 1980 Lok Sabha elections.

Historians and political analysts now debate the potential impact of a successful merger, speculating on its influence on Tamil Nadu’s and even national politics. While the attempt ultimately failed, the 1979 episode remains a fascinating and significant chapter in the complex political landscape of Tamil Nadu, offering valuable insight into the relationships and rivalries that have shaped the state’s political trajectory for decades.

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