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O Panneerselvam Joins DMK, Shakes Up Tamil Nadu Politics Ahead of 2026 Polls

Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam formally joined the DMK at its headquarters, welcomed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The move follows public praise for Stalin from OPS's camp, including MLA P Ayyappan who predicted Stalin's re-election in 2026. The upcoming state polls are shaping up as a multi-cornered contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the BJP-AIADMK combine, and actor Vijay's new party. The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance secured 159 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Key Points: OPS Joins DMK, Tamil Nadu Political Shift Before 2026 Polls

  • OPS joins DMK fold
  • CM MK Stalin welcomes ex-rival
  • MLA predicts Stalin's return
  • 2026 polls set for three-way contest
2 min read

Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneeselvam arrives at DMK HQ to join party ahead of Tamil Nadu polls

Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam joins DMK in presence of CM MK Stalin, reshaping alliances for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

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

Chennai, February 27

Expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday arrived at the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham headquarters to join the party in the presence of CM MK Stalin.

Before Panneeselvam's arrival, his son Raveendran also arrived at the DMK HQ. DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also reached the party office to welcome OPS into the DMK fold..

This move follows recent praise by the OPS camp for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and a prediction related to return of DMK government in the state.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu MLA P Ayyappan, who is seen as being part of 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.

"The Breakfast Scheme was introduced with a visionary outlook. For small children's 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 said.

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

S
Shreya B
Honestly, this feels like opportunism. Leaders keep switching sides for power, not for the people. But if it helps continue good schemes like the Breakfast Scheme for children, maybe it's okay? Mixed feelings.
K
Karthik V
The real story is Vijay's TVK entering the fray. A three-cornered contest will be very interesting. DMK might benefit from a split in anti-incumbency votes. 2026 is going to be a political thriller!
P
Priya S
Ayyappan's speech praising Stalin like a mother providing meals was very touching. At the end of the day, good governance and welfare schemes matter more than party symbols. Hope this alliance works for Tamil Nadu's progress.
A
Aman W
With BJP-AIADMK alliance and now TVK, DMK needs strong allies. OPS still has some support base. This is a strategic masterstroke by Stalin Anna. DMK looks very strong for 2026.
N
Nisha Z
As a Tamilian living outside the state, I just want stable development. All this political drama sometimes overshadows the real issues like jobs and infrastructure. Hope the focus remains on Dravidian Model 2.0's promises.

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