OPS to Join DMK in Major Political Shift Ahead of Tamil Nadu Elections
In a significant political development, three-time former chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, aged 75, is poised to join the rival DMK on Friday, according to multiple authoritative sources. This move marks a dramatic realignment in Tamil Nadu politics as the state gears up for crucial assembly elections.
Seat Allocation and Strategic Considerations
The DMK is reportedly considering offering Panneerselvam a seat to contest in the forthcoming assembly election, with Bodinayakkanur in Theni district emerging as the probable constituency. This is the same seat he successfully won in the 2021 elections, providing him with a familiar electoral battleground. However, DMK leaders have indicated that while Bodinayakkanur is a strong possibility, there are internal contenders within the party for this seat, and alternative constituencies in the region might be allocated to him.
OPS, as he is widely known, has been engaged in protracted and thus far unsuccessful legal battles in courts and before the Election Commission of India to reclaim his position within the AIADMK. His anticipated joining of the DMK is expected to take place at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters, in the presence of Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin, underscoring the significance of this political defection.
Catalysts for the Decision
Sources reveal that Panneerselvam, who had been subtly sending feelers to the DMK leadership, finalized his decision following AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's recent welcoming of AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran into the NDA fold. EPS had remained adamant about not reinstating OPS into the AIADMK, leaving him with limited political options.
DMK leaders confirmed that there has been an ongoing exchange of messages with OPS, culminating in a formal invitation to join their party. "We communicated to him to become part of our party. He is scheduled to join tomorrow morning," a senior DMK leader stated on Thursday. OPS, currently staying at a hotel on Radhakrishnan Salai, has been unreachable for comments, adding to the anticipation surrounding this move.
Background and Political Trajectory
O Panneerselvam's political journey has been closely intertwined with the AIADMK's dynamics. He was chosen by the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa as a stand-in chief minister on two occasions—in 2001 and 2014—demonstrating her trust in his leadership. Following Jayalalithaa's demise in 2016, he assumed the chief minister's role once more but lost the position within a few months due to internal party shifts.
He later served as Deputy Chief Minister and Joint Coordinator of the AIADMK, but his differences with Edappadi K Palaniswami intensified over time. In July 2022, Palaniswami orchestrated amendments to the party bylaws, eliminating the dual leadership structure and resulting in OPS's expulsion from the AIADMK, effectively sidelining him from the party he had long been associated with.
Recent Political Maneuvers and Support Base
In August, Panneerselvam withdrew from the NDA, citing perceived "insults" from the BJP camp. Four months later, he met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey that he would not rejoin the NDA unless the fractured AIADMK factions were unified. During a recent interaction, OPS disclosed that Amit Shah had informed him the DMK alliance possesses sufficient strength to prevail against a divided AIADMK in the electoral arena.
Reflecting on his discussions with Shah, OPS remarked, "I appealed to him to bring together the groups and unify the party. He (Shah) mentioned he had attempted to persuade (EPS) but encountered resistance... Shall I join the Sankara mutt?" This rhetorical question highlights his sense of political isolation prior to the DMK move.
OPS's supporters acknowledge that this decision was not made lightly. "Some of his family members were hesitant about this transition," a source revealed. "However, given the prevailing circumstances, it appears to be the appropriate course of action. He aims to challenge Palaniswami, and aligning with a formidable force like the DMK is essential for that objective," another aide elaborated.
Electoral Performance and Future Prospects
In the 2024 parliamentary polls, Panneerselvam contested independently from the Ramanathapuram constituency, securing a respectable second place with an impressive tally of 3.42 lakh votes, indicating his enduring voter appeal. His supporters, including former MLAs R Vaithilingam and Paul Manoj Pandian, have already resigned their legislative posts and joined the DMK recently, paving the way for his integration into the party.
This political realignment is poised to reshape the electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu, with OPS bringing his experience and voter base to the DMK camp. As the assembly elections approach, all eyes will be on how this alliance influences voter dynamics and the broader political narrative in the state.
