O Panneerselvam Joins DMK: MK Stalin Inducts Former CM in Historic Shift Ahead of Elections

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of Fort St. George, former three-time Chief Minister O Panneerselvam joins DMK, marking one of the most significant political realignments in recent Tamil Nadu history.

On Friday, Chief Minister MK Stalin formally inducted the expelled AIADMK leader into the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) fold. The induction ceremony, captured in a widely shared photograph of the two leaders, signals a definitive end to OPS’s long-standing association with the party of his mentor, the late J. Jayalalithaa.

A New Chapter in Dravidian Politics

The decision for O Panneerselvam to join the DMK comes just months before the high-stakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. For a leader who served as the hand-picked successor to "Amma" on three separate occasions, the leap to the rival camp underscores the depth of the fractured legacy within the AIADMK.

Addressing the media after his induction, Panneerselvam praised the governance of MK Stalin, noting:

"Chief Minister MK Stalin is providing exemplary leadership and good governance that resonates across the state. The DMK government’s family support measures, particularly for women, have set a benchmark for public welfare."

The Fallout of the AIADMK Leadership Crisis

The roots of this transition trace back to the bitter AIADMK leadership crisis that began in 2022. Following a protracted legal and political battle with Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) over the party’s "single leadership" model, OPS was expelled from the AIADMK.

While Panneerselvam maintained a "wait and watch" approach for nearly two years, his move to the DMK confirms that the bridge back to his former party has been burnt. OPS did not mince words during the event, accusing EPS of running the AIADMK in a "dictatorial manner" and leading the party toward an inevitable decline.

Impact on the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

Political analysts suggest that the entry of OPS into the DMK treasury will have three major impacts:

• The Theni Stronghold: OPS maintains a massive influence in the Bodinayakkanur constituency and the broader Theni district. His shift could swing the Mukkulathor community vote bank toward the DMK.

• Ideological Consolidation: MK Stalin described OPS as a "respected leader of the Dravidian movement," suggesting that the DMK aims to project itself as the sole true protector of Dravidian ideology.

• AIADMK Weakening: By absorbing a former CM, the DMK further isolates EPS and creates a narrative of a "sinking ship" within the principal opposition party.

What This Means for the Voter

For the common citizen, this move signals a consolidation of power. As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach, the DMK is clearly looking to broaden its umbrella, incorporating veteran administrative experience while simultaneously dismantling the opposition’s grassroots structure.

While some critics view this as pure political opportunism, others see it as a necessary step for OPS to remain relevant in a landscape that has increasingly become a direct contest between Stalin’s governance and a fragmented opposition.