T.N. election 2026: When an ‘underdog’ MGR stunned many with his 1980 victory in Tamil Nadu

After President N. Sanjiva Reddy invoked Article 356 on a Sunday night in February 1980 to dismiss CMs in nine States, including Tamil Nadu’s M.G.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• After President N.
• Sanjiva Reddy invoked Article 356 on a Sunday night in February 1980 to dismiss CMs in nine States, including Tamil Nadu’s M.G.
• Ramachandran, many in this State thought the victory of the Congress-DMK coalition in the Assembly poll was a given.
• Yet, it was the AIADMK that emerged victorious After President N.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• Sanjiva Reddy invoked Article 356 on a Sunday night in February 1980 to dismiss CMs in nine States, including Tamil Nadu’s M.G.
• Ramachandran, many in this State thought the victory of the Congress-DMK coalition in the Assembly poll was a given.
• Yet, it was the AIADMK that emerged victorious

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• Yet, it was the AIADMK that emerged victorious After President N.
• Sanjiva Reddy invoked Article 356 on a Sunday night in February 1980 to dismiss CMs in nine States, including Tamil Nadu’s M.G.
• Ramachandran, many in this State thought the victory of the Congress-DMK coalition in the Assembly poll was a given.