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All 234 seats in the Legislature of Tamil Nadu 118 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Turnout | 72.10% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The fifth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held in March 1971. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was re-elected, after its first victory under the leadership of C N Annadurai in 1967. This was the first time M. Karunanidhi, contested as the leader of DMK party won the election, since he assumed Chief Ministership for the first time, after the death of C N Annadurai. Karunanidhi had emerged successfully in the leadership crisis (having supported by M. G. Ramachandran, against Nedunchezhiyan, which ensued after the death of C. N. Annadurai. The main opposition party in the election was Indian National Congress (Organisation) led by K. Kamaraj, whereas the Indian National Congress (Indira) faction aligned with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. This was the first instance in which the National ruling party (Indira Gandhi led Indira-congress) which was bent into a coalition where the state party would take all seats for state legislature in exchange for half seats for lok sabha in the state.
Karunanidhi did not face any Leadership crisis with M.G. Ramachandran as MGR was still very busy with cinema. MGR and Vai.Balasundaram was instrumental and helped Karunanidhi to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu against all odds after the death of C N Annadurai.
DMK's 48.58% vote share and 184 seats remain the largest share of votes and seats ever won by a party in the history of Tamil Nadu. This has been the only instance ever when DMK-led state government retained power, as all other DMK-led state governments have been voted out against AIADMK led coalitions in the future.