Which of the regional political parties was first able to form a Government in one of the states of India ?

Answer & Explanation

Correct answer: (A) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

• The DMK was the first regional political party to form a government in any Indian state. It came to power in Tamil Nadu (then Madras State) in 1967 under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai, defeating the Indian National Congress.
• This was a significant milestone in Indian politics as it marked the beginning of regional parties successfully challenging the dominance of national parties like the Congress at the state level. The DMK’s victory in 1967 was part of a broader anti-Congress wave that swept several states that year, but the DMK was specifically the first regional party to achieve this feat.

A quick comparison of the other options:

• Akali Dal (B) — Though formed in 1920, it first led a state government in Punjab only in 1967 as part of a coalition after the state’s reorganisation, but it was not a single-party majority government in the same decisive manner.
• Mizo National Front (C) — Formed government in Mizoram much later, in 1986 after the Mizo Accord.
• AIADMK (D) — Founded in 1972 by M.G. Ramachandran after splitting from DMK, so it came well after DMK’s 1967 victory.