Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 5, 2026

Secular Progressive Alliance

The Secular Progressive Alliance, also known as DMK-led Alliance, is an Indian regional political party alliance in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry led by the Dravidian party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founded by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu C. N. Annadurai in 1967.

Last revised
Jul 5, 2026
Read time
≈ 9 min
Length
2,088 w
Citations
20
Source
Secular Progressive Alliance
AbbreviationSPA
Chairperson
FounderC. N. Annadurai
FoundedFebruary 1967
IdeologyBig tent
Factions:
Dravidianism1
Tamil nationalism2
Social democracy3
Secularism4
Political positionCentre-left
ECI StatusNot required
Seats in Rajya Sabha
10 / 19
Seats in Lok Sabha
22 / 40
Seats in State Legislative Assemblies
58 / 234

(Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly)

5 / 33
(Puducherry Legislative Assembly)
Number of states and union territories in government
0 / 31

The Secular Progressive Alliance (abbr. SPA), also known as DMK-led 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 History
Name Period Notes
DMK-led Alliance (DMK+) 1967-2004
Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) 2004-2017 5
Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) 2017-present 6

Current members

# Party Abbr. Flag Symbol Leader
1 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK M. K. Stalin
2 Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam7 DMDK Premalatha Vijayakant
3 Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi KMDK E. R. Eswaran
4 Makkal Needhi Maiam MNM Kamal Haasan
5 Manithaneya Makkal Katchi MNMK M. H. Jawahirullah
6 Social Democratic Party of India SDPI V. M. S. Mohamed Mubarak
7 Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi MJK M. Thamimun Ansari
9 Tamil Nadu Peasants and Workers Party TNPWP Pon. Kumar
10 Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaingar Peravai TNKIP U. Thaniyarasu
11 Tamizhar Desam Katchi TDK K. K. Selvakumar
12 Adhi Tamilar Peravai ATP R. Adhiyaman
13 Mukkulathor Pulipadai MKLP Karunas
14 Makkal Viduthalai Katchi MVK K. Murugavelrajan
15 Dravida Vettri Kazhagam DVK C. E. Sathya
16 Samathuva Makkal Kazhagam SMK Ernavoor Narayanan
17 Jananayaga Muslim Makkal Party JMMK Dr.M.F. Tamim

Indian general elections

Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu
Duration Election year Allied parties Seats won
1989 1989 Indian general election DMK, CPI, CPI(M) and JD
1 / 39
1991 1991 Indian general election DMK, CPI, CPI(M) and JD
0 / 39
United Front
1996 1996 Indian general election TMC(M), DMK and CPI
39 / 39
1998 1998 Indian general election TMC(M), DMK and CPI
9 / 39
National Democratic Alliance
1999 1999 Indian general election DMK , PMK, BJP, MDMK, MADMK, MGRK and TRC
26 / 39
United Progressive Alliance
2004 2004 DMK, INC, CPI(M), CPI, PMK, MDMK, IUML, CJP
39 / 39
United Progressive Alliance
2004–2013 2009 DMK, INC, VCK, IUML
27 / 39
Democratic Progressive Alliance
2013–2016 2014 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu8 DMK, VCK, MMK, PT, IUML
0 / 39
United Progressive Alliance
2016–2023 2019 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu DMK, VCK, CPI(M), CPI, MDMK, KMDK, IUML, IJK
38 / 39
Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
2023–2026 2024 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu DMK, INC, VCK, CPI(M), CPI, MDMK, KMDK, MNM, IUML
39 / 39
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 Won
DMK - Congress(O) Alliance
1977 1977 DMK, INC(O), CPI(M) INC Lost
DMK - Congress Alliance
1980 1980 DMK, INC(O), CPI(M) INC Won
DMK - Janata Party Alliance
1984 1984 DMK, JP, CPI(M), CPI DMK Lost
National Front
1989 1989 DMK, JP, CPI(M), CPI DMK Lost
National Front
1991 1991 DMK, JP, CPI(M), CPI DMK Lost
United Front
1996 1996 DMK, TMC(M), CPI DMK Lost
United Front
1998 1998 DMK, TMC(M), CPI DMK Won
National Democratic Alliance
1999 1999 DMK, BJP, PMK PMK Lost
United Progressive Alliance
2004 2004 DMK, INC, PMK, IUML, CPI, CPI(M) PMK Won |- style="text-align:center;" United Progressive Alliance
2004–2013 2009 DMK, INC, VCK INC Won
DMK-VCK Alliance
2013–2016 20148 DMK, VCK, MMK, PT DMK Lost
United Progressive Alliance
2016–2023 2019 DMK, VCK, CPI(M), CPI INC Won
Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
2023–2026 2024 DMK, VCK, CPI(M), CPI, MNM INC Won

State Legislative Assembly elections

State Legislative Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu
Duration Election Year Allied parties Seats won
United Front
1967 1967 Indian general election DMK, SP, CPI(M) and IUML, PSP, SSP, NTK, TAK and two Independents
179 / 234
Progressive Front
1971 1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, INC(R), CPI, IUML, PSP and AIFB
205 / 234
DMK+
1977 1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK
48 / 234
DMK - Congress Alliance
1980 1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, INC, IUML and two Independents
69 / 234
DMK-led Alliance
1984 1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, JP, CPI (M) and CPI
34 / 234
1989 1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI(M) and JD
150 / 234
1991 1991 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI, TMK, CPI(M) and JD
7 / 234
United Front
1996 1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, TMC(M), AIFB, IUML and CPI
221 / 234
National Democratic Alliance
2001 2001 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, BJP, PT, MDK, PNK, MADMK, MGRK, IUUK, TCP, TBK, VCK, CJP, TMIJ, TPMK, TNMS and KMK
37 / 234
Democratic Progressive Alliance
2006 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election DMK, INC, PMK, IUML, CPI(M), CPI, PBK and AIFB (Vallarasu)
163 / 234
Democratic Progressive Alliance

     

ஜனநாயக முற்போக்குக் கூட்டணி
2004–2006 2006 DMK, INC, PMK, CPI(M), CPI, PBK, IUML, FB (Vallarasu)
163 / 234
2006–2011 2011 DMK, INC, PMK, VCK, KMK, MMK, PMK, IUML
31 / 234
2011–2016 2016 DMK, INC, VCK, MMK, PT, PMK, TPWP, IUML, SSP
98 / 234
Secular Progressive Alliance
2017–2021 2021 DMK, INC, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), MMK, MDMK, PMK, KMDK, AIFB, IUML, MVK, ATP
159 / 234
2026 2026 DMK, INC, DMDK, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MNM,MMK,KMDK,SDPI
73 / 234
State Legislative Assembly elections in Puducherry
Duration Election Year Allied parties Seats won
DMK-CPI Alliance
1969 1969 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI and two Independents
20 / 30
DMK+
1974 1974 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK
2 / 30
1977 1977 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election
3 / 30
DMK-Congress (Indira) Alliance
1980 1980 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, Indian National Congress(Indira) and two Independents
26 / 30
DMK-Janata Party Alliance
1985 1985 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK and JP
7 / 30
DMK-led Alliance
1990 1990 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI, JD and an Independent
16 / 30
1991 1991 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, CPI, JD and two Independents
9 / 30
1996 1996 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, TMC(M), CPI, JD and two Independents
17 / 30
National Democratic Alliance
2001 2001 Pondicherry Legislative Assembly election DMK, BJP, PMC - style="text-align:center;" United Progressive Alliance
2004–2021 2006 DMK, INC, PMK, CPI
20 / 30
2011 DMK, INC, PMK, VCK
9 / 30
2016 INC, DMK
18 / 30
2021 INC, DMK, VCK, CPI, Independent
9 / 30
Secular Progressive Alliance
2025–2026 2026 DMK
5 / 30

Strength in Legislative Assembly

Tamil Nadu

Party Abbr. Ideology Seats Remarks
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK Dravidianism
57 / 234
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam DMDK Dravidianism
1 / 234

Puducherry

Party Abbr. Ideology Seats
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK Dravidianism
5 / 30

Strength in Lok Sabha

Tamil Nadu

Party Abbr. Ideology Seats
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK Dravidianism
22 / 39

Withdrawals

Political party State Date Reason for withdrawal
Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam Tamil Nadu 2009 Allied with BSP
Puratchi Bharatham Katchi Tamil Nadu 2011 Allied with AIADMK+
Pattali Makkal Katchi Tamil Nadu 2014 Allied with NDA
Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam Tamil Nadu 2019 Allied with AIADMK+
Puthiya Tamilagam Tamil Nadu 2019 Allied with AIADMK+
Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi Tamil Nadu 2019 Allied with AIADMK+
Indian Uzhavar Uzhaippalar Katchi Tamil Nadu 2021 Allied with AIADMK+
Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi

Tamil Nadu

2021 Allied with MNM-led Alliance
Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi

Tamil Nadu

2026 Withdrew its support
Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam

Tamil Nadu

2026 Allied with AIADMK+
Indian National Congress Tamil Nadu 2026 Allied with TVK+
Indian Union Muslim League Tamil Nadu 2026 Allied with TVK+9
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Tamil Nadu 2026 Allied with TVK+10
Communist Party of India Tamil Nadu 2026 Formed new alliance LDF
Communist Party of India (Marxist) Tamil Nadu 2026 Formed new alliance LDF
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Tamil Nadu 2026 Withdrew its support

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.1112 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.1314 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.1516 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.1718 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 .19Communist Party of India and as well as Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam too withdrew there support and left the alliance.

Governments and legislative leaders

See also

See also

Notes

Notes

References

References

  1. Palanithurai 1997, pp. 21–22. sfn error: no target: CITEREFPalanithurai1997 (help)
  2. Hardgrave, Robert L. "The DMK and the Politics of Tamil Nationalism." Pacific Affairs, vol. 37, no. 4, 1964, pp. 396–411. JSTOR, doi:10.2307/2755132. Accessed 6 Jun. 2022.
  3. "Dravida Munnetra Kazgham (DMK)". Business Standard India. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  4. Soper, J. Christopher; Fetzer, Joel S. (2018). Religion and Nationalism in Global Perspective. Cambridge University Press. pp. 200–210. ISBN 978-1-107-18943-0.
  5. "DMK launches Democratic Progressive Alliance". TimesofIndia. 20 January 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2004.
  6. "Lok Sabha elections 2019: DMK chief MK Stalin launches Secular Progressive Alliance". The Times of India. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  7. "DMDK joins DMK alliance ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls". The News Minute. 20 February 2026.
  8. "DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance to mobilise people under 'secular front'". The Economic Times. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  9. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/iuml-to-join-tn-cm-vijays-cabinet-am-shahjahan-to-represent-party/article71006250.ece
  10. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iuml-and-vck-to-also-join-vijay-cabinet-expansion-likely-tomorrow-sources-11527767
  11. "Tamil Nadu election 2026: Velmurugan's Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi exits DMK alliance; rules out joining NDA". The Hindu. 22 March 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  12. பிரிவு, இணையதளச் செய்திப் (1 April 2026). "தமிழக வாழ்வுரிமைக் கட்சிக்கு கேமரா சின்னம் ஒதுக்கீடு!". தினமணி (in Tamil). Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  13. "TVK seeks Congress support to form govt. in Tamil Nadu: K.C. Venugopal". The Hindu. 5 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  14. "Congress snaps ties with DMK; extends support to Vijay's TVK, seeking 'share' in T.N. government". The Hindu. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  15. "CPI, CPI(M) offer unconditional support to TVK for Tamil Nadu government formation". The News Mill. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  16. "VCK, IUML extend unconditional support to Vijay's TVK; alliance with DMK intact, says Thirumavalavan". The Hindu. 9 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  17. "IUML to join TVK-led Cabinet in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 21 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  18. "IUML And VCK To Also Join Vijay Cabinet". 21 May 2026.
  19. Staff, T. N. M. (8 June 2026). "CPI(M) says DMK alliance no longer exists in Tamil Nadu". The News Minute. Retrieved 8 June 2026.