In a political move ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, three-time former Chief Minister and expelled AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam (OPS) joined the DMK on February 27, 2026. The development marks a major realignment in Tamil Nadu politics, especially in the southern belt where OPS holds considerable influence.
Panneerselvam formally joined the ruling party in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters in Chennai. Minister P.K. Sekarbabu accompanied him during the induction.
Sources indicate that the DMK is likely to offer OPS a ticket from Bodinayakkanur in Theni district, a constituency he won in 2021. However, party insiders suggest there are other contenders within the DMK for the same seat, and he may be fielded from another constituency in the region instead.
In the 2024 polls, OPS secured an impressive 3.42 lakh votes in the area, underscoring his continued electoral relevance.
Addressing the media after joining the party, Panneerselvam praised Stalin's leadership, stating that the Chief Minister is providing good governance and that "people are watching it."
He added that to safeguard the Dravidian movement and its core principles, the DMK is actively working, and he has joined the party as a cadre. "I will be one among the party cadres and work for its development," he said.
Taking a swipe at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), OPS alleged that EPS has been ensuring that no leader from the southern districts emerges as a strong force within the party.
His decision to join the DMK reportedly came after EPS welcomed AMMK chief T.T.V. Dhinakaran, another expelled AIADMK leader, into the NDA fold, while firmly refusing to readmit OPS into the AIADMK.
Panneerselvam's political journey over the past few years has been turbulent. In August last year, he withdrew from the NDA, citing "insults" from the BJP camp.
Four months later, he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reportedly conveying that he would not rejoin the NDA unless the AIADMK factions were unified. Just days ago, OPS revealed that Shah had told him the DMK alliance was strong enough to defeat a divided AIADMK.
His move also follows the recent resignation of his loyalists R.V. Vaithilingam and Paul Manoj Pandian, who stepped down as MLAs and joined the DMK. With the DMDK already aligning with the DMK, OPS's entry further strengthens the ruling party's position ahead of the elections.
Panneerselvam's political career has been closely tied to late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who appointed him as a stand-in Chief Minister twice, in 2001 and 2014. He became Chief Minister again in 2016 after her death, but lost the post within two months.
He later served as Deputy Chief Minister and joint coordinator of the AIADMK until his differences with Palaniswami deepened. In July 2022, EPS amended the party bylaws, scrapped the dual leadership structure, and formally expelled OPS from the AIADMK.
With OPS now crossing over to the DMK camp, Tamil Nadu's political landscape is witnessing a significant shift. Will this high-profile switch reshape the electoral equations in the southern districts and tilt the balance further in favour of the ruling alliance?
