Expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has officially joined the DMK after years of political isolation
Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who was expelled from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 2022, formally joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday.
The crossover took place in Chennai in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin.
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Panneerselvam, once a trusted associate of late AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa, had struggled for more than three years to rejoin his parent party before ultimately choosing to align with the DMK. The former CM joined the ruling party along with his supporters, marking a significant political realignment ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Why this move is significant
The development comes after a prolonged power struggle within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which ultimately led to Panneerselvam’s expulsion in 2022.
His crossover marks a major political realignment in Dravidian politics, as a former AIADMK coordinator joins its principal rival ahead of a crucial electoral contest.
OPS had recently met Stalin at the Assembly premises and publicly remarked that the DMK stood a strong chance of retaining power in 2026. He also claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had indicated the DMK-led alliance remained strong against a divided AIADMK.
Political background
Once a close confidant of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam found himself increasingly isolated within the AIADMK following internal rifts with Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
His ties with the BJP also cooled after the AIADMK leadership recalibrated its alliances.
Two MLAs aligned with OPS — including R. Vaithilingam — have already shifted to the DMK, pointing to a possible consolidation of his faction within the ruling party.
If formalised, the move could reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape ahead of the high-stakes 2026 Assembly elections.
Published: 27 Feb 2026, 08:50 am IST
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