BY PC Bureau
February 27, 2026: In a dramatic political realignment ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, dealing a significant blow to the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Panneerselvam, a three-time Chief Minister and one of the closest aides of former AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, formally joined the DMK at the party headquarters in Chennai. His entry comes four years after he was expelled from the AIADMK following a bitter leadership struggle with party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
He was seen arriving at the DMK office earlier in the day, shortly after his son, O P Raveendranath Kumar, reached the venue. Stalin later welcomed Panneerselvam into the party, marking one of the most significant political crossovers in the state in recent years.
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Fallout from AIADMK power struggle
Panneerselvam’s exit from the AIADMK in 2022 followed an intense internal battle with Palaniswami for control of the party after Jayalalithaa’s death. Once considered a loyalist who held the chief minister’s post during critical transitions, Panneerselvam gradually lost influence as Palaniswami consolidated power within the party.
Former three-time #Tamilnadu CM and late #Jayalalithaa loyalist #OPanneerselvam #OPS has officially joined the ruling #DravidaMunnetraKazhagam #DMK ahead of the 2026 TN Assembly polls in the presence of CM #MKStalin at Anna Arivalayam in #Chennai. Also joining the DMK is… pic.twitter.com/3fPS7s4pkT
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) February 27, 2026
In recent remarks, Panneerselvam criticised amendments to AIADMK’s internal rules governing the selection of its general secretary, arguing that the changes undermined the framework established by party founder M. G. Ramachandran.
“When the Revolutionary Leader launched this party and codified these rules, who are you to change it?” he said, referring to Ramachandran. He added that the matter was now before the courts.
He also expressed anguish over being barred from using party symbols and attire despite his long service.
“I have been a legislator. I have been a Chief Minister. I have been the party coordinator. What mistake did I commit? If you can simply tell me what mistake I made, I will leave politics,” he said earlier this week.
Strategic boost for DMK before key elections
Panneerselvam’s induction is expected to strengthen the DMK-led alliance as it prepares for the crucial 2026 Assembly elections. His support base in southern Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Thevar-dominated belt, could provide the ruling party with a strategic advantage.
The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly is scheduled to go to the polls in the first half of 2026, with the DMK-led alliance expected to campaign on its “Dravidian Model 2.0” governance platform.
The opposition alliance, led by the AIADMK and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is attempting to rebuild its political strength after internal divisions weakened its organisational structure.
Multi-cornered contest expected in 2026
The political landscape is also expected to be reshaped by the entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay, whose party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is preparing to contest the elections. His entry could transform the contest into a triangular battle and complicate electoral calculations for both major alliances.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK secured 133 seats, while its broader alliance won 159 seats in total, comfortably forming the government. The AIADMK-led bloc won 75 seats, with the AIADMK itself emerging as the principal opposition.
Panneerselvam’s decision to join the DMK marks a major political turning point in Tamil Nadu, weakening the opposition camp while reinforcing the ruling party’s position ahead of a high-stakes electoral battle.
