Tamil Nadu has been governed by several iconic figures from both the Dravidian parties and the Indian National Congress. Since 1947, the role of the Chief Minister has evolved from leading the Madras Presidency to the state of Tamil Nadu, officially renamed in 1969.
With results of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu expected on May 4, a look at names, tenure and political affiliations of Chief Ministers of the southern state over the years:
Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu (Post-Independence)
No.Name of Chief MinisterPeriod of TenureParty Affiliation
1O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar23 March 1947 – 6 April 1949Indian National Congress
2P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja6 April 1949 – 10 April 1952Indian National Congress
3C. Rajagopalachari10 April 1952 – 13 April 1954Indian National Congress
4K. Kamaraj13 April 1954 – 2 October 1963Indian National Congress
5M. Bhaktavatsalam2 October 1963 – 6 March 1967Indian National Congress
6C. N. Annadurai6 March 1967 – 3 February 1969DMK
7M. Karunanidhi10 February 1969 – 31 January 1976DMK
8M. G. Ramachandran30 June 1977 – 17 February 1980AIADMK
9M. G. Ramachandran (2nd Term)9 June 1980 – 24 December 1987AIADMK
10V. N. Janaki Ramachandran7 January 1988 – 30 January 1988AIADMK
11M. Karunanidhi (2nd Term)27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991DMK
12J. Jayalalithaa24 June 1991 – 12 May 1996AIADMK
13M. Karunanidhi (3rd Term)13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001DMK
14J. Jayalalithaa (2nd Term)14 May 2001 – 21 September 2001AIADMK
15O. Panneerselvam21 September 2001 – 2 March 2002AIADMK
16J. Jayalalithaa (3rd Term)2 March 2002 – 12 May 2006AIADMK
17M. Karunanidhi (4th Term)13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011DMK
18J. Jayalalithaa (4th Term)16 May 2011 – 27 September 2014AIADMK
19O. Panneerselvam (2nd Term)29 September 2014 – 22 May 2015AIADMK
20J. Jayalalithaa (5th Term)23 May 2015 – 5 December 2016AIADMK
21O. Panneerselvam (3rd Term)6 December 2016 – 16 February 2017AIADMK
22Edappadi K. Palaniswami16 February 2017 – 6 May 2021AIADMK
23M. K. Stalin7 May 2021 – PresentDMK
Here are some key facts about the Tamil Nadu CMs
Renaming of State: It was during the tenure of C N Annadurai in 1969 that the state was officially renamed from Madras State to Tamil Nadu.
Longest Serving: M Karunanidhi holds the record for the most terms as Chief Minister, serving five different times across four decades.
Transition of Power: Since 1967, Tamil Nadu has been exclusively governed by leaders from the DMK or AIADMK, marking a complete shift away from national parties in the state legislature.
President's Rule: The state has come under President's Rule four times (1976, 1980, 1988, and 1991) due to various political developments and the dismissal of state governments.
Some Historic Welfare Schemes
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (K Kamaraj): Launched in the 1950s, this revolutionary program provided free meals to school children to boost enrollment and reduce malnutrition.
Nutritious Noon Meal Scheme (M G Ramachandran): In 1982, MGR expanded the existing meal program by adding eggs and pulses, creating one of the largest nutrition programs in the world.
Cradle Baby Scheme (J Jayalalithaa): Introduced in 1992 to combat female infanticide, this scheme allowed anonymous parents to hand over female infants to the state for care.
Amma Canteens (Amma Unavagam) (J Jayalalithaa): Launched in 2013, these state-run subsidized canteens provide low-cost, quality meals to the urban poor and daily wage laborers.
Varumun Kappom (M Karunanidhi): A massive preventive healthcare initiative involving specialized medical camps conducted across the state to reach rural populations.
Uzhavar Sandhai (Farmers' Markets) (M Karunanidhi): Established to allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without middlemen, ensuring better prices for both.
