Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam

Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KMK) is a political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The party's vote base is mainly concentrated in the Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu.

Kongunadu Munnetra Kalagam
LeaderBest .S.Ramasamy Gounder
Founded2001
HeadquartersTiruppur(dt)
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.[1] Although the party was launched by a Gounder organisation, it has repositioned itself as the representative of all people in the entire Kongu region .[2][3][4][5] The party charged that Kongu region continued to be one of the most neglected region in Tamil Nadu, although the region contributed for 40% of revenue to the state government.[6] The party also claims that it was formed for the welfare and development of the Kongu region.[7]

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.[8] 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.[6] The party came third in many constituencies ahead of Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam.[8]

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).[9]

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

References
  1. Latest Tamilnadu, Indian Political News, Headlines, Information Online
  2. Region's 'neglect' by governments prompted party formation : - Chennaionline News Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
  3. The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Beginning with message of conservation
  4. The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : KMP to work for progressive Western Tamil Nadu
  5. The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : KMP fields Dalit candidate in Nilgiris, says it is not casteist
  6. Prasad, Ayyappa (26 November 2010). "DMK bid to wrest Kongunadu". Kalugu Media. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. Meet , Tamil Nadu’s new political entrepreneur - Indian Express
  8. Gounder consolidation could pose headache to major parties - Times Of India
  9. BJP ties up with KMK for forthcoming polls
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