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OPS Joins DMK in Major Tamil Nadu Political Shift Ahead of 2026 Polls

Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, along with his son, has formally joined the ruling DMK in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin. The move follows Panneerselvam's public praise for Stalin and predictions of a DMK victory in the 2026 state elections. However, the shift has drawn sharp criticism from NDA ally TTV Dhinakaran, who called references to late leader Jayalalithaa's blessings for Stalin as unacceptable. The upcoming 234-seat assembly election is shaping up to be a three-way contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the BJP-AIADMK combine, and actor Vijay's new political party.

Key Points: O Panneerselvam Joins DMK in Presence of CM MK Stalin

  • OPS & son join DMK
  • Praise for Stalin's schemes
  • TTV Dhinakaran criticizes move
  • 2026 polls set for three-way contest
  • DMK eyes 'Dravidian Model 2.0'
3 min read

Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam joins DMK in presence of MK Stalin

Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam formally joins DMK with his son, reshaping Tamil Nadu's political landscape ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

"In the upcoming election, M.K. Stalin should once again win and return as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. - MLA P Ayyappan"

Chennai, February 27

Expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday joined Dravida Munnetra Kazagham in the presence of party chief and CM MK Stalin in Chennai.

Along with OPS, his son P Ravindhranath Kumar also joined DMK ahead of the forthcoming Tamil Nadu polls.

O Panneerselvam was expelled from the party after a leadership tussle with Edappadi K Palaniswami back in 2022.

This comes after Panneerselvam's praise for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his prediction regarding the return of the DMK government in the state.

On Friday, Tamil Nadu MLA P Ayyappan, who is seen as part of former CM O Paneerselvam's camp, expressed his desire to see M. Stalin lead the state again following the next assembly polls.

Ayyappan stated in the Assembly that M K Stalin must once again become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He further said, "The Breakfast Scheme was introduced with a visionary outlook. For small children who come to primary schools, the Chief Minister provides hot meals like a mother."

"Those who once raised slogans claiming that the Chief Minister had merely given Rs 5,000 are nowhere to be seen today. As long as Tamil Nadu exists, the Breakfast Scheme will continue to praise the Chief Minister. In the upcoming election, M.K. Stalin should once again win and return as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. With the blessings of Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, and with the wishes of our elder brother O. Panneerselvam, I express my gratitude at this moment," Ayyappan added.

Earlier this week, NDA ally and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran hit back at OPS, saying he's got the right to choose alliances, but can't drag Jayalalithaa's name into it.

He called out OPS's remarks about CM MK Stalin getting blessings from Amma and Puratchi Thalaivar as unacceptable.

He further said, "As far as O Panneerselvam is concerned, he has every right, in his personal capacity, to decide which alliance he wants to join or contest with. However, the remarks he made in the Legislative Assembly, suggesting that Stalin of the DMK would return to power with the blessings of Puratchi Thalaivar and Amma, are unacceptable to me and to any of Jayalalithaa's loyal supporters. We will not accept statements that bring disrepute to the legacy and honour of our leaders."

The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the MK Stalin-led alliance will look to project the 'Dravidian Model 2.0' for the win against the BJP-AIADMK alliance.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay's entry with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to turn the Tamil Nadu polls into a three-way contest.

In the 2021 polls, the DMK won 133 seats in the 2021 Assembly polls. Congress won 18, PMK won five, VCK won four, and others won eight seats. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by DMK, which consisted of Congress, won 159 seats collectively. While the NDA won 75 seats, the AIADMK emerged as the largest party in the alliance with 66 seats.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Honestly, this feels like pure opportunism. OPS was praising Amma and MGR just a few years ago. Now he's with DMK? 🤔 Voters are not fools, they see these political somersaults. I hope people vote for development, not these shifting loyalties.
S
Suresh O
TTV Dhinakaran is absolutely right. How can OPS claim Stalin has blessings from Amma? That's disrespectful to Jayalalithaa's legacy. You can change parties for survival, but don't drag revered leaders into it for political gain.
A
Anjali F
The real focus should be on schemes like the Breakfast Scheme mentioned here. If it's helping children, that's what matters more than these political dramas. Stalin government has done good work in education and social welfare, that's why they might get votes again.
K
Karthik V
With OPS moving, AIADMK looks weaker. But don't forget Vijay's TVK entry! That's the real X-factor for 2026. A three-cornered fight will be very interesting. DMK might benefit from the split in anti-incumbency votes.
M
Michael C
Following TN politics from abroad. This consolidation by DMK seems strategic. They are bringing in leaders from other camps to show a united front. Smart move by Stalin ahead of the elections. The 'Dravidian Model 2.0' branding needs strong allies.

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