Tamil Nadu
INC's political influence over Tamil Nadu gave way to the rise of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1967, whose initial mandate was the secession of Tamil Nadu (Dravida Nadu) from the rest of India. In 1972, a split in the DMK resulted in the formation of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), led by MG Ramachandran. Together, the AIADMK and the DMK currently command a 60% share in Tamil Nadu state elections. The shift in political power in Tamil Nadu was due to the rise of Dravidan Nationalism spearheaded by leaders such as Periyar Ramasami and C. N. Annadurai, who extolled the achievements Tamilians in ways that the common man could relate to. The main facets of state politics in Tamil Nadu included language — the distinction between Tamil and non-Tamil speakers was an important tool used by the DMK in the 1960s and caste — such as the Self-respect Movement. The imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking areas of India has often been a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu. In January–February 1965, large scale Anti-Hindi agitations, a cause championed by the DMK, occurred in Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is an important and sensitive issue in the politics of the state.
Read more about this topic: Politics In South India