MTD has its base amongst the Yadava(Konar)(ietaiyar)ietaiyan) caste in the north and southern parts of the state.
The party leader is S. Kannappan, a former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) minister.
Ahead of the 2001 Tamil Nadu assembly elections MTD joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
On 6 May 2002, the Puducherry unit of MTD broke away and joined Indian National Congress.
In the 2004 MTD took part in the People's Alliance, the third front in Tamil Nadu together with Janata Dal (United), Puthiya Tamizhagam and the Dalit Panthers of India.