In a significant political development, former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam flew to the national capital on Tuesday for a crucial meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The visit, initiated at the invitation of some Delhi-based well-wishers, adds a new layer to the ongoing turmoil within the opposition AIADMK in the state.
A High-Stakes Delhi Visit
O Panneerselvam departed from Chennai via Kochi on Tuesday morning to reach Delhi for his evening engagement with the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader. Political circles view this meeting as a potential intervention by the BJP's central leadership to address the persistent deadlock in the AIADMK. The core of the conflict remains the firm stance of current party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami against readmitting expelled members, a group that includes Panneerselvam and his supporters.
This high-profile meeting follows an ultimatum issued by Panneerselvam to Palaniswami. He had warned that his faction, the AIADMK Cadres' Rights Retrieval Committee, would formally transform into a new political "Kazhagam" (party) by December 15 if efforts to reunify the original party failed.
Broader Political Calculations and Speculations
The timing of the Delhi trip is particularly noteworthy. It occurs against the backdrop of strong speculation that the Panneerselvam camp is actively exploring the possibility of an electoral alliance with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for the crucial 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The outcome of this meeting with Amit Shah is likely to influence those backchannel discussions.
Furthermore, associates of the former chief minister are closely monitoring the upcoming AIADMK general council meeting scheduled for December 10. The decisions taken in that forum could dictate the future course of action for the sidelined leader and his followers.
A Series of Setbacks and Exits
Panneerselvam's Delhi mission comes shortly after another blow to the unity efforts of AIADMK breakaway groups. Former minister and expelled AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan recently joined actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His move followed unsuccessful attempts to consolidate the various factions that have split from the main party, underscoring the deepening fragmentation within the AIADMK's erstwhile support base.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are now on Delhi. The conversation between Panneerselvam and Amit Shah could potentially reshape the opposition landscape in Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for new alignments ahead of the 2026 electoral battle.
