Big earthquake in Tamil Nadu politics before the elections, former CM O. Panneerselvam will join DMK – ..

News India Live, Digital Desk: Just before the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections (Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026), a very shocking reversal is being seen in the politics of the state. Veteran leader expelled from AIADMK and three-time Chief Minister of the state O. O Panneerselvam (OPS) is now going to join his arch rival party DMK. If sources are to be believed, he is Chief Minister M.K. Will officially hold the flag of the ruling party in the presence of MK Stalin.

New beginning under Stalin’s leadership

This news has spread like wildfire in political circles. It is believed that OPS has taken this important step after all hopes of making a respectable comeback in his old party AIADMK are gone. He met party chief M.K. at DMK headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam’. Will take membership in front of Stalin. The script of this big political shift had started to be written when recently, MLA R., who was considered his staunch supporter. Vaithilingam and Paul Manoj Pandian had resigned and joined DMK.

Will we get election ticket from Bodinayakkanur?

Along with the news of joining DMK, discussions are also going on about the new role of OPS. According to party insiders, DMK may field him from ‘Bodinayakkanur’ or any other seat in Theni district in the upcoming 2026 assembly elections. It is noteworthy that in the 2021 elections, he had registered a resounding victory from Bodinayakkanur itself.

Expulsion from AIADMK and journey away from NDA

Panneerselvam’s recent political journey has been full of great struggles:

Battle for supremacy with EPS: In July 2022, after a long power struggle within the AIADMK, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) had shown the way out to Panneerselvam by amending the party rules.

Had also broken ties with NDA: After battling the Election Commission and the court, in August last year OPS had also distanced itself from the BJP-led NDA alliance, saying it was facing “humiliation” there.

That important advice of Amit Shah: OPS had recently revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had cautioned him that it was impossible to defeat the DMK alliance against a divided AIADMK. OPS had also appealed to Shah to unite the AIADMK factions, but things did not work out due to EPS’s refusal.

Why did the decision have to be taken against one’s own ‘original home’?

People close to Panneerselvam say that this decision has not been taken overnight. To directly challenge Palaniswami and save his political existence, he found it necessary to associate with a powerful party like DMK. OPS is considered to have deep roots in the Mukkulathor community of South Tamil Nadu. Now with this step, DMK is expected to get direct benefit of this vote bank in the 2026 elections.