M. Karunanidhi

M Karunanidhi is the present leader of the DMK party in Tamil Nadu, India. He has been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 4 times:

from February 10,1969 to January 4,1971

from March 15,1971 to January 31,1976

from January 27,1989 to January 30,1991

from May 13,1996 to May 13,2001

An interesting fact about him is that he has never lost in any election in his long political career spanning over 60 years. In Tamil Nadu's political history he is the only person to hold such a record.

Karunanidhi started his career as a scriptwriter working in the Tamil film industry and shot to popularity in politics due to his unparalleled wit and great oratorical skills. However, numerous allegations of corruption dog his years in power. His son, MK Stalin is widely tipped to succeed him in the party. His political opponents criticise him of grooming Stalin, even while his supporters claim that Stalin has been in the party for several years, has contributed to it's growth and hence deserves the place. Karunanidhi's great-nephew, Dayanidhi Maran, is currently the Minister for Information Technology in the Indian Government .