The DMK-led alliance ( DMK+), also known as Secular Progressive Alliance, is an Indian regional political party alliance in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). It was founded by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu C. N. Annadurai in 1967.
History +Naming HistoryNamePeriodNotesDMK-led Alliance (DMK+)1957–2004Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA)2004–2019Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA)2019–present
Current members
#PartyAbbr.FlagSymbol Leader1DMKM. K. Stalin2 DMDK Premalatha Vijayakant3KMDK E. R. Eswaran4MNM Kamal Haasan5MNMK M. H. Jawahirullah6 SDPI V. M. S. Mohamed Mubarak7 MJK M. Thamimun Ansari9Tamil Nadu Peasants and Workers PartyTNPWP Pon. Kumar10 Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaingar PeravaiTNKIP U. Thaniyarasu11Tamizhar Desam KatchiTDK K. K. Selvakumar12Adhi Tamilar PeravaiATP R. Adhiyaman13Mukkulathor PulipadaiMKLP Karunas14Makkal Viduthalai KatchiMVK K. Murugavelrajan15Dravida Vettri KazhagamDVK C. E. Sathya16 Samathuva Makkal KazhagamSMK Ernavoor Narayanan 17Jananayaga Muslim Makkal PartyJMMKDr.M.F. Tamim
Indian general elections
Tamil Nadu + Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu Duration Election year Allied parties Seats won1989 1989 Indian general election DMK, CPI, CPI(M) and JD1991 1991 Indian general election DMK, CPI, CPI(M) and JDUnited Front1996 1996 Indian general election TMC(M), DMK and CPI1998 1998 Indian general election TMC(M), DMK and CPINational Democratic Alliance1999 1999 Indian general election DMK , PMK, BJP, MDMK, MADMK, MGRK and TRCUnited Progressive Alliance2004 2004 DMK, INC, CPI(M), CPI, PMK, MDMK, IUML, CJPUnited Progressive Alliance2004–2013 2009 DMK, INC, VCK, IUMLDemocratic Progressive Alliance2013–2016 2014 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu DMK, VCK, MMK, PT, IUMLUnited Progressive Alliance2016–2023 2019 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu DMK, VCK, CPI(M), CPI, MDMK, KMDK, IUML, IJK2023–2026 2024 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu DMK, INC, VCK, CPI(M), CPI, MDMK, KMDK, MNM, IUML
Puducherry
+ Lok Sabha elections in Puducherry Duration Election year Allied parties Contested by Result- style="text-align:center;"DMK – Congress Alliance 1971 1971 DMK, INC, CPI and IUML INC DMK – Congress(O) Alliance 1977 1977 DMK, INC(O), CPI(M) INC DMK – Congress Alliance 1980 1980 DMK, INC(O), CPI(M) INC DMK – Janata Party Alliance 1984 1984 DMK, JP, CPI(M), CPI DMK National Front 1989 1989 DMK, JP, CPI(M), CPI DMK National Front 1991 1991 DMK, JP, CPI(M), CPI DMK United Front 1996 1996 DMK, TMC(M), CPI DMK United Front 1998 1998 DMK, TMC(M), CPI DMK National Democratic Alliance 1999 1999 DMK, BJP, PMK PMK United Progressive Alliance 2004 2004 DMK, INC, PMK, IUML, CPI, CPI(M) PMK- style="text-align:center;"United Progressive Alliance2004–2013 2009 DMK, INC, VCK INC DMK-VCK Alliance2013–2016 2014 DMK, VCK, MMK, PT DMK United Progressive Alliance2016–2023 2019 DMK, VCK, CPI(M), CPI INC 2023–2026 2024 DMK, VCK, CPI(M), CPI, MNM INC
State Legislative Assembly elections Tamil Nadu + State Legislative Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu Duration Election Year Allied parties Seats wonUnited Front1967 1967 Indian general election DMK, SP, CPI(M) and IUML, PSP, SSP, NTK, TAK and two IndependentsProgressive Front1971 1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, INC(R), CPI, IUML, PSP and AIFBDMK+1977 1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMKDMK – Congress Alliance1980 1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, INC, IUML and two IndependentsDMK-led Alliance1984 1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, JP, CPI (M) and CPI 1989 1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI(M) and JD1991 1991 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI, TMK, CPI(M) and JDUnited Front1996 1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, TMC(M), AIFB, IUML and CPI 2001 2001 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, BJP, PT, MDK, PNK, MADMK, MGRK, IUUK, TCP, TBK, VCK, CJP, TMIJ, TPMK, TNMS and KMK2006 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, INC, PMK, IUML, CPI(M), CPI, PBK and AIFB (Vallarasu)Democratic Progressive Alliance ஜனநாயக முற்போக்குக் கூட்டணி2004–2006 2006 DMK, INC, PMK, CPI(M), CPI, PBK, IUML, FB (Vallarasu)2006–2011 2011 DMK, INC, PMK, VCK, KMK, MMK, PMK, IUML2011–2016 2016 DMK, INC, VCK, MMK, PT, PMK, TPWP, IUML, SSPSecular Progressive Alliance2017–2021 2021 DMK, INC, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), MMK, MDMK, PMK, KMDK, AIFB, IUML, MVK, ATP 2026 2026 DMK, INC, DMDK, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MNM,MMK,KMDK,SDPI
Puducherry +State Legislative Assembly elections in Puducherry Duration Election Year Allied parties Seats wonDMK-CPI Alliance1969 1969 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI and two IndependentsDMK+1974 1974 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK1977 1977 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly electionDMK-Congress (Indira) Alliance1980 1980 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, Indian National Congress(Indira) and two IndependentsDMK-Janata Party Alliance1985 1985 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK and JPDMK-led Alliance1990 1990 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI, JD and an Independent1991 1991 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI, JD and two Independents1996 1996 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, TMC(M), CPI, JD and two Independents2001 2001 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, BJP, PMC United Progressive Alliance2004–2021 2006 DMK, INC, PMK, CPI 2011 DMK, INC, PMK, VCK 2016 INC, DMK 2021 INC, DMK, VCK, CPI, IndependentSecular Progressive Alliance 2025–2026 2026 DMK
Strength in Legislative Assembly Tamil Nadu
PartyAbbr.Ideology SeatsRemarksDravida Munnetra KazhagamDMKDravidianismDesiya Murpokku Dravida KazhagamDMDKDravidianism
Puducherry
PartyAbbr.Ideology SeatsDravida Munnetra KazhagamDMKDravidianism
Strength in Lok Sabha Tamil Nadu
PartyAbbr.Ideology SeatsDravida Munnetra KazhagamDMKDravidianism
Withdrawals Political partyStateDateReason for withdrawal Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam Tamil Nadu 2009 Allied with BSP Puratchi Bharatham Katchi Tamil Nadu 2011 Allied with AIADMK+ Pattali Makkal KatchiTamil Nadu2014 Allied with NDA Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam Tamil Nadu 2019 Allied with AIADMK+ Puthiya TamilagamTamil Nadu2019 Allied with AIADMK+ Perunthalaivar Makkal KatchiTamil Nadu2019 Allied with AIADMK+ Indian Uzhavar Uzhaippalar Katchi Tamil Nadu 2021 Allied with AIADMK+ Indhiya Jananayaga KatchiTamil Nadu 2021 Allied with MNM-led Alliance Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai KatchiTamil Nadu 2026 Withdrew its support Moovendar Munnetra KazhagamTamil Nadu 2026 Allied with AIADMK+Indian National CongressTamil Nadu2026Allied with TVK+Indian Union Muslim LeagueTamil Nadu2026Allied with TVK+Viduthalai Chiruthaigal KatchiTamil Nadu2026Allied with TVK+Communist Party of IndiaTamil Nadu2026Formed LFCommunist Party of India (Marxist)Tamil Nadu2026Formed LFMarumalarchi Dravida Munnetra KazhagamTamil Nadu2026Alied with TVK+
The Left parties defected to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led front in 2009 after it withdrew support to the Indian National Congress-led United Progressive Alliance coalition in the centre.
The Pattali Makkal Katchi withdrew support in 2008 over differences with the DMK but it still remained in the Congress-led UPA in the centre. But after differences over seat sharing before the 15th Lok Sabha, it withdrew support to the UPA also and crossed over to the AIADMK-led front.
The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi was formed in 2009 by the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham and immediately joined the DPA. However, before the Lok Sabha elections, its demand for two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat was turned down by the DMK, which offered them a lone Lok Sabha seat. The MMK withdrew from the DPA, and is now tied up with small parties like actor Sarath Kumar-led Akila Indiya Samathuva Makkal Katchi, the Puthiya Tamilzhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Prior to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, the Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi and Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam withdrew their support from the SPA alliance. Following the election, the Indian National Congress, which had won five seats as part of the SPA alliance, extended its support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League also extended unconditional support to TVK to facilitate the formation of a government before the deadline (10 May) and avoid the imposition of President's rule, while continuing their alliance with the DMK-led SPA. Subsequently, the IUML and VCK joined the TVK-led coalition government, with their MLAs being sworn in as ministers. The parties also formally confirmed that they would continue as part of the SPA alliance. Communist Party of India (Marxist) later left the alliance when M. K. Stalin stirred up a controversy by commenting on the alliance partners support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led Tamil Nadu Government, saying it was after its (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) approval, CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam denied it saying it was an independent decision and left the alliance .Communist Party of India and as well as Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam too withdrew there support and left the alliance.
Governments and legislative leaders
Annadurai ministry (1967–1969) First Karunanidhi ministry (1969–1971) Second Karunanidhi ministry (1971–1976) Third Karunanidhi ministry (1989–1991) Fourth Karunanidhi ministry (1996–2001) Fifth Karunanidhi ministry (2006–2011) Narayanasamy ministry (2016–2021) M. K. Stalin ministry (2021–2026)
See also AINRC-led Alliance National Democratic Alliance Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
References