- Former Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam joined the DMK ahead of 2026 Assembly polls
- Panneerselvam was expelled from AIADMK in 2022 after power struggle with Edappadi Palaniswami
- OPS criticised AIADMK by-law changes and questioned his expulsion from the party
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin today ahead of the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
A three-time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and a longstanding aide of J Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam was expelled from the AIADMK in 2022 following an intense power struggle with Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS).
Panneerselvam was seen leaving a hotel earlier today before reaching the DMK office, where he joined the party.
Before Panneerselvam's arrival, his son Raveendran was also seen reaching the DMK headquarters. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin arrived shortly after to welcome OPS.
Meanwhile, MK Stalin said that Panneerselvam has "joined the mother organisation," the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and welcomed him "with open arms." He praised Panneerselvam as someone who carries the name of a great Dravidian leader and has now joined the movement to safeguard its ideology.
In a post on X, "Former Chief Minister and dear brother Thiru. O. Panneerselvam has joined the mother organization, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. I welcome him with open arms."
"The 2026 Assembly election is a democratic battle between Tamil Nadu and the fascist BJP. It is with this realization that various democratic forces are joining the DMK alliance. Our brother who has joined us, Thiru. O. Panneerselvam, is a loving person, a virtuous person, a humble person! May his arrival be for the welfare! May Tamil Nadu triumph," he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Panneerselvam had offered to quit politics if his mistakes were proven.
Without naming AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, the former CM criticised the recent amendments to the party by-laws for the selection of the General Secretary, a framework established by party founder M G Ramachandran.
Addressing reporters here, he said, "When the Revolutionary Leader (M G Ramachandran) launched this party and codified these rules in writing, who are you to change it? I have raised this question, and the matter is now in the Court." Recalling that he was instructed by the AIADMK leadership not to use the party flag or wear the party dhoti, Panneerselvam said, "I have been a legislator. I have been a CM. I have also been a coordinator of the party. What mistake did I commit? Have I ever raised a hand against a worker? If you can simply tell me what mistake I have made, I will leave politics." After paying floral tributes to the portrait of AIADMK supremo and late CM J Jayalalithaa on the occasion of her 78th birth anniversary, Panneerselvam ruled out floating any political outfit.
Tamil Nadu's 234-member Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the Stalin-led alliance is expected to campaign on its "Dravidian Model 2.0" platform. The ruling coalition will face the BJP-AIADMK alliance, which is attempting to revive its base after internal splits.
The election landscape is further set to shift with the political entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay, whose newly launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is poised to turn the contest into a triangular fight.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK secured 133 seats, while its allies collectively pushed the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) tally to 159 seats. The NDA bloc won 75 seats, with the AIADMK emerging as its strongest component with 66 seats.
