Chennai, 27 Feb (H.S.):In a dramatic turn in Tamil Nadu politics, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam formally joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday, marking a decisive shift in his political journey after months of uncertainty. The induction took place at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam in Chennai, where Chief Minister M.K. Stalin personally welcomed him into the party fold.

Panneerselvam’s move comes after a prolonged and bitter leadership battle within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which ultimately led to his expulsion from the party he had served for decades. Following his ouster, OPS floated the AIADMK Volunteers’ Rights Recovery Committee and operated as a separate faction, asserting that he was fighting to restore the party’s original values and internal democracy.

Repeated efforts by Panneerselvam to regain entry into the AIADMK failed to yield results. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami made it clear on multiple occasions that there was no scope for reconciliation, effectively closing the doors on OPS’s return and reshaping the state’s opposition landscape.

In the months leading up to his formal induction, Panneerselvam had maintained visible engagement with Chief Minister Stalin. On July 31 last year, the two leaders met during a padayatra, and OPS later visited Stalin’s residence the same evening to enquire about his health. The interaction triggered widespread political speculation. Their subsequent meeting on the final day of the interim Budget session on the 20th further strengthened talk of an imminent political realignment.

Arriving at Anna Arivalayam with a sizeable group of loyal supporters, Panneerselvam officially enrolled himself as a DMK member in the presence of the Chief Minister and senior party leaders. His entry is widely viewed as a calculated political move that could alter the dynamics ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Political observers believe the development could significantly impact AIADMK’s traditional support base, particularly in southern Tamil Nadu where OPS commands influence. For the DMK, the induction represents both symbolic and strategic consolidation, underscoring the fluid and evolving nature of alliances in the state’s high-stakes political arena.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman