NEW DELHI: In a significant political development, expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) on Thursday made a public declaration expressing his readiness for reunification with Edappadi K Palaniswami's (EPS) AIADMK faction ahead of Tamil Nadu's crucial 2026 assembly elections. The announcement, made during a press conference in Madurai, has reignited discussions about factional dynamics within the party.
OPS Throws Challenge to EPS and Dhinakaran
At the Madurai press meet, OPS issued a pointed challenge to both EPS and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran, questioning their preparedness for political reconciliation. "I am ready for that. Are they ready?" he stated emphatically, suggesting the possibility of rival factions coming together under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) umbrella. This public overture represents OPS's most direct appeal for reunification in recent months.
EPS's Firm Rejection
EPS responded with an unequivocal rejection, stating: "There is no chance of admitting OPS into AIADMK. OPS has already been removed from the basic membership position." The AIADMK leader cited the party's 2023 general council decision that expelled OPS for alleged anti-party activities, emphasizing that the verdict by over 2,500 members was unanimous and binding.
This sharp exchange has brought to the forefront a question that has been circulating in Tamil Nadu political circles for months: what role will OPS play in the 2026 elections? As a three-time chief minister and once the stand-in leader for J Jayalalithaa after her demise, his current political maneuvering raises important questions about his future trajectory.
The BJP-Driven Context
OPS's reunion pitch emerges against the backdrop of a BJP-driven effort to revive and expand the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu. With the BJP increasingly invested in forging an anti-DMK front, the national party has been encouraging splintered AIADMK factions to align, or at least avoid damaging vote-splits that could benefit the ruling DMK.
In this context, OPS framed reunification as a "natural" outcome if EPS and Dhinakaran—who were once bitter rivals—could close ranks. He argued that if such rapprochement was possible between those factions, there should be no barrier to his own return to the party fold.
Ideological Positioning and Secret Talks
OPS returned to familiar ideological themes during his address, emphasizing the restoration of MGR-era by-laws and what he termed "cadres' rights." He clarified that his committee, which later evolved into a kazhagam, exists primarily to reclaim the party's original rules rather than to establish itself as a full-fledged political party for the 2026 elections.
When questioned about reported discussions with BJP's Tamil Nadu in-charge Piyush Goyal and rumors of a two-seat offer, OPS declined to provide direct answers, describing the matter as "parama ragasiyam" (a profound secret). Meanwhile, Dhinakaran positioned himself as a potential mediator, urging OPS to join the NDA to help revive what he called the "Amma regime."
Why EPS Rejected the Offer
EPS's refusal is being framed by his camp as a matter of party discipline and organizational authority. AIADMK leaders consistently reference the 2023 general council decision, maintaining that it represents the collective will of the party. EPS has repeatedly argued that the party cannot return to "dual leadership" politics and that the current focus must remain on defeating the DMK through a consolidated NDA front.
The BJP has also indicated its position clearly. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has backed EPS as the NDA's leading face for the 2026 contest, with decisions about the alliance's final shape to be determined after the elections. This suggests that OPS's primary challenge extends beyond EPS—the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit appears to have moved forward without him in their strategic calculations.
The Roots of OPS's Urgency
OPS's apparent desperation ahead of the 2026 elections stems from one blunt reality: political isolation is rapidly transforming into electoral irrelevance. Despite being a former chief minister with three stints in office, he currently possesses limited negotiating power within Tamil Nadu's alliance arithmetic.
This diminished position results from his lack of control over three essential negotiation elements: a recognized political party, an election symbol, and a demonstrable seat-winning base. In recent election cycles, OPS has struggled to convert name recognition into measurable electoral influence.
Recent Electoral Performance
During the 2021 assembly polls, his camp failed to emerge as a significant political force. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, OPS did not secure a single seat, contesting as an Independent under the jackfruit symbol—a move he described as a "test of cadre support" for his reunification pitch.
Structurally, OPS remains locked out of the AIADMK apparatus. EPS's camp emphasizes that OPS's 2023 expulsion for anti-party activities was endorsed by a general council of over 2,500 members, making re-entry not merely a matter of personal goodwill but a question of organizational authority. Without access to district units and booth-level machinery, OPS is left primarily with sentiment-based politics rather than practical election infrastructure.
The NDA Squeeze
The broader pressure comes from within the NDA itself. The BJP, which once viewed OPS as a useful fracture point inside AIADMK, now appears firmly invested in EPS-led consolidation. In this evolving political ecosystem, OPS is reportedly being offered only a minor role: sources suggest 2–3 seats, either through AMMK's quota or via a BJP-backed independent route.
This limited offer may explain why OPS is pushing the "reunion" narrative so publicly. For the 2026 elections, his fight appears less about attaining power and more about maintaining political relevance and survival.
Personal Political Timeline
At approximately 75 years old, OPS faces a personal political deadline with limited time to rebuild his standing. His reunion pitch to EPS can therefore be interpreted not only as a negotiation tactic but also as a legacy attempt—a final effort to remain relevant in the post-Jayalalithaa story of AIADMK.
Three Scenarios for OPS Ahead of 2026
With EPS firmly shutting the door on direct re-entry, OPS effectively has only three plausible options remaining before the assembly polls:
- Backdoor NDA Entry via AMMK (Most Likely): OPS joins the NDA through Dhinakaran's AMMK arrangement, receiving 2–3 seats from AMMK's quota. This approach would keep him in the political game while avoiding total invisibility, though it risks reducing him to a junior player under Dhinakaran and BJP with limited influence.
- Go Solo-Lite with BJP Support (Possible): OPS contests with BJP backing, either on the BJP's symbol or as an Independent candidate. This would help the BJP widen its footprint in southern Tamil Nadu while keeping OPS out of AMMK's shadow. However, without AIADMK's organizational machinery, he might remain confined to specific pockets.
- AIADMK Reunion Miracle (Least Likely): EPS allows a return under some negotiated formula, enabling OPS to re-enter with symbolic honor. While a reunion narrative might energize some cadres, EPS would likely impose strict conditions, if he accepts OPS at all.
Political Signaling and Survival Bid
OPS's recent "I'm ready for reunion" pitch serves multiple purposes. It is not merely a message to EPS or Dhinakaran but also a signal to the BJP-led NDA: do not finalize 2026 election plans without considering his position. However, Tamil Nadu's political reality remains unforgiving.
Currently, the NDA alliance mathematics is being constructed around EPS-first consolidation. OPS is being negotiated not as a central figure but as a marginal add-on, with discussions centering on only 2–3 seats. This explains why he has wrapped a survival bid in the language of legacy—emphasizing MGR by-laws, cadre rights, and party unity.
The fundamental question now is straightforward: will the AIADMK gates reopen for OPS, or will the 2026 elections mark his final appearance as a consequential political player in Tamil Nadu? As alliance negotiations intensify in the coming months, OPS's maneuvers will test both his political resilience and the BJP's strategic calculations in the southern state.
