R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, FEB 27
In a stunning political crossover that has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, three-time Chief Minister and expelled AIADMK stalwart O. Panneerselvam on Friday formally joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the presence of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin at the party headquarters in Chennai.
- Three-time Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s dramatic shift redraws battle lines in Tamil Nadu politics
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcomes former rival, signals DMK’s aggressive southern consolidation strategy
- OPS declares “people want Stalin to win,” hints at Bodinayakkanur comeback bid
- Fallout from AIADMK civil war and NDA estrangement pushes OPS into historic political realignment
- EPS, BJP recalibrate strategies as DMK gains momentum ahead of high-stakes Assembly elections
The dramatic realignment marks one of the most consequential political shifts in recent years, with OPS — once the trusted lieutenant of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa — now crossing over to the very party he spent decades opposing.
OPS Backs Stalin, Signals New Political Chapter
Moments after joining the DMK, OPS made his political intentions clear, publicly backing Stalin’s leadership.
“People of Tamil Nadu want M.K. Stalin to win the election,” Panneerselvam told reporters, endorsing the DMK’s governance and signalling his commitment to the party’s future.
Sources within the DMK confirmed that OPS is likely to contest from his political stronghold of Bodinayakkanur in Theni district, while his supporters may also be fielded in key constituencies across southern Tamil Nadu — a region where OPS still commands significant grassroots influence.
Welcoming OPS into the party fold, Stalin is believed to have described the move as a step towards strengthening “Dravidian unity and inclusive leadership,” according to senior DMK insiders.
From Loyalist to Political Outcast: The OPS Journey
Once hailed by Jayalalithaa herself as a “loyalist,” OPS served multiple terms as Chief Minister, stepping in whenever she faced legal setbacks. However, after her passing in 2016, factional battles within the AIADMK fractured the party’s unity.
OPS’s prolonged legal and political battle with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami ultimately resulted in his expulsion and marginalisation.
Despite attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party to broker reconciliation between the rival factions, OPS remained politically isolated.
Reflecting on his efforts to revive unity, OPS revealed: “Amit Shah told me that the DMK alliance is strong enough to win the election. I pleaded with him to reunite the AIADMK and bring the warring groups back together. He said he tried to persuade, but EPS did not listen to him.”
OPS had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Ramanathapuram as an independent backed by the NDA but suffered a setback. His subsequent withdrawal from the NDA in August, citing humiliation and political neglect, marked the beginning of his search for a new political home.
Stalin’s Strategic Coup: DMK Tightens Grip on Southern Tamil Nadu
OPS’s entry is widely seen as a strategic masterstroke for Stalin, especially in southern Tamil Nadu districts like Theni, Ramanathapuram, and Madurai, where OPS retains loyal supporters and caste-based political networks.
Political analysts say the move could weaken AIADMK’s southern bastions and fragment opposition votes.
OPS’s loyalists, including senior leaders R. Vaithilingam and Paul Manoj Pandian, had already joined the DMK earlier, signalling a gradual but calculated shift.
A senior DMK leader said: “This is not just a political entry — it is a reaffirmation that experienced leaders trust Stalin’s governance model and vision for Tamil Nadu.”
EPS Camp Faces Strategic Dilemma
OPS’s exit and DMK entry pose a significant challenge to Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s efforts to consolidate the AIADMK.
AIADMK leaders, reacting cautiously, said the party remains strong.
An AIADMK functionary close to EPS remarked:
“AIADMK’s strength lies in its cadre and ideology. Individual exits will not weaken the party’s foundation.”
Meanwhile, BJP leaders are closely watching the developments, given OPS’s previous association with the NDA and his influence among key voter segments.
Personal Loyalty vs Political Survival
For OPS, the decision was deeply personal and politically consequential. Having risen through the ranks under Jayalalithaa’s mentorship, joining the DMK represents a historic ideological shift.
Family sources acknowledged the emotional complexity of the decision.
“This decision will ensure a political future for him and also for his sons. But the AIADMK has lost its face in the south,” a family member said.
OPS had held informal meetings with Stalin in recent months, including private discussions at his residence and even chance encounters during morning walks — interactions that laid the groundwork for Friday’s political crossover.
High Stakes Ahead: Election Battlefield Reconfigured
With Tamil Nadu heading toward a crucial Assembly election, OPS’s entry into the DMK has dramatically reshaped the political battlefield.
The move strengthens the ruling party’s electoral arithmetic, boosts its southern outreach, and signals the continued fragmentation of the opposition.
As Tamil Nadu braces for an intense electoral contest, OPS’s political resurrection under Stalin’s banner may well redefine the state’s power equations — proving once again that in Dravidian politics, loyalty may shape legacy, but survival shapes destiny.
