Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam

Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KMK) is a caste based political party representing the Kongu Vellala Gounders, a backward caste in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The party's vote base is mainly concentrated in the Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu.[1]

Kongunadu Munnetra Kalagam
LeaderBest .S.Ramasamy Gounder
Founded2001
HeadquartersCoimbatore, Kongu Nadu
IdeologyIndigenism
Social conservatism
Political positionCentre-right
Party flag
Website
https://www.kongunadumunnetrakazhagam.com/

Origins and platform

The party launched in the name of "Kongunadu Munnetra Peravai" but later its leaders adopted the already registered name of "Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam". It was launched in 2009 at Coimbatore by the Kongu Vellala Goundergal Peravai, a Gounder caste organisation.[2] Although the party was launched by a Gounder organisation,[3] the party's founder Best Ramasamy dismissed that the party was only for the cause of Kongu Velala Gounders and said that his party will work for the cause of the western Tamil Nadu.[4] The party also claims that it will work for development of the Kongu region.[5]

2009 Lok Sabha election

The party contested in 12 constituencies independently (without alliance) in 2009 lokshaba elections and polled around 6 lakhs (600,000) votes in the Kongu region.[6] Although the party was not able to win any seat still it was considered as a good show by political observers as the party was started only 4 months before the elections. The party mainly contributed for the defeat of all Congress - Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance candidates in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu.[7] The party came third in many constituencies ahead of Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam.[6]

2011 Assembly election

In the 2011 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, KMK joined hands with DMK and contested 7 seats. It lost in all the 7 seats and in local body elections, the party allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).[8]

Election history
YearElectionVotes polledSeats contestedSeats wonAlliance with
20092009 Indian general election5,79,704120--
20112011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election3,70,04470United Progressive Alliance

See also

References
  1. VIJAYABASKAR, M; WYATT, ANDREW (2013). "Economic Change, Politics and Caste: The Case of the Kongu Nadu Munnetra Kazhagam". Economic and Political Weekly. 48 (48): 103–111. ISSN 0012-9976. JSTOR 23528935.
  2. "Latest Tamilnadu, Indian Political News, Headlines, Information Online". www.dinamalar.com.
  3. "The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Beginning with message of conservation". 8 November 2012. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012.
  4. "The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : KMP to work for progressive Western Tamil Nadu". 8 November 2012. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012.
  5. "Meet 'Best' Ramasamy from Tirupur, Tamil Nadu's new political entrepreneur". 7 May 2009.
  6. "Gounder consolidation could pose headache to major parties - Times Of India". 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.
  7. Prasad, Ayyappa (26 November 2010). "DMK bid to wrest Kongunadu". Kalugu Media. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. BJP ties up with KMK for forthcoming polls
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