Alagarswami Vijayakant, popularly known as Captain, was an Indian actor, politician, and philanthropist who served as the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 27 May 2011 to 21 February 2016. He was the founder and second general secretary of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam. On 9 May 2024, Vijayakant was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour. Vijayakant was regarded as one of the most influential politicians in Tamil Nadu.

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is an Indian regional political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a Dravidian party founded by the former leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Vijayakant, at Madurai on 14 September 2005. The party was led by its founder until 14 December 2023 from its date of founding. From 14 December 2023, the DMDK is led by Vijayakant's wife Premallatha Vijayakant as general secretary of the party. The party served as the main opposition party in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 27 May 2011 to 21 February 2016. The headquarters of the party is located at Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Koyambedu, Chennai.