The invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor, utilizing a support member having a hydrophilic surface excellent in hydrophilicity and durability, providing effects of improving scumming in the printing operation and capable of forming large numbers of prints of high image quality even under severe printing conditions. The precursor comprises a support including an aluminum substrate and a hydrophilic layer disposed thereon, the hydrophilic layer formed by chemically bonding a hydrophilic polymer, which includes a reactive group able to chemically bond to a surface of the aluminum substrate directly or via a structural component comprising a crosslinked structure; and a positive working recording layer disposed on the support and including a light-absorbing and heat-generating material, and a polymer compound, which is insoluble in water and soluble in alkali, wherein solubility of the recording layer in an alkaline aqueous solution increases upon exposure to light.