Chennai, Feb 27 Three-time AIADMK Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who held top party positions before his expulsion in 2022, officially joined the DMK in the presence of its president and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin on Friday, a move seen as a major boost for the ruling party ahead of the upcoming elections.
A close confidant of late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, Ottakara Thevar Panneerselvam, popularly known as OPS, joined the arch-rival DMK after unsuccessfully trying to rejoin his original party for over three years.
"Are you embarrassed?" AIADMK questioned, highlighting OPS's rapid rise within the party and emphasizing that he had even been the official signatory for party nominees in elections.
The 75-year-old OPS, a prominent figure in the influential Mukkulathor community, who previously held positions as AIADMK Treasurer and coordinator, joined the DMK along with his son, P Ravindhranath Kumar, and supporters.
This move is expected to strengthen the ruling party, particularly in southern districts where the Mukkulathor community has significant electoral influence.
Incidentally, OPS, an MLA, is the last remaining member of his camp to join the DMK, while prominent supporters like V Vaithilingam and PH Manoj Pandian had already joined the party. Others, including JCD Prabhakar, joined the TVK. Rajya Sabha MP R Dharmar is the only prominent OPS supporter who has endorsed AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The legal battles initiated by OPS over his expulsion, targeting the AIADMK leadership led by Palaniswami (EPS), did not succeed. EPS had often labelled OPS as a "traitor" in recent years. EPS had also repeatedly questioned OPS's loyalty to the AIADMK.
Since last month, following a meeting between OPS and minister PK Sekar Babu, speculation has been rife that the former CM would join the DMK. Adding to the speculation, OPS supporter P Ayyappan had expressed confidence in the TN Assembly that the Stalin-led government would be re-elected.
OPS himself stated on February 20 that the DMK had a strong advantage and would win the upcoming elections. Today, Sekar Babu, who himself was a former AIADMK leader, accompanied OPS to the DMK headquarters, 'Anna Arivalayam'.
A five-time MLA, OPS was the chief minister thrice (2001-02, 2014-15 and 2016-17), holding key portfolios including finance, revenue, and public works during his long tenure with the AIADMK.
As the chairman of the Periyakulam Municipality in Theni district in southern Tamil Nadu in 1996, OPS began his political career.
He became the chief minister for the first time at the age of 40 in 2001, following Jayalalithaa's stepping down due to the TANSI land deal case. Subsequently, he became CM in 2014 after Jayalalithaa was convicted in a disproportionate assets case. Again, he was the CM after her death in 2016.
In February 2017, he launched a "Dharmayudham," alleging that he was forced to resign as CM and eventually joined forces with Palaniswami-led faction, which together ousted Jayalalithaa's confidante VK Sasikala and her kin from the party.
OPS, known for his modest and unassuming demeanor, also briefly served as Leader of the Opposition after the DMK formed the government in 2006. He later held the position of deputy LoP.
During his tenure, he also served as the Leader of the House. After his expulsion, he floated the AIADMK Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee, which was later renamed as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Workers Rights Retrieval Kazhagam in December 2025.
Speaking to reporters, Panneerselvam expressed his happiness in joining the DMK and criticized AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami as an "autocrat" and "arrogant" who has created a situation of "no-victory" for the AIADMK at all times.
When questioned about his situation within the AIADMK following his expulsion, he stated that he was not concerned about the past and that he would abide by CM Stalin's directives.
CM Stalin understands the needs of the people and delivers welfare schemes to all sections of the population without any bias, he said, denying that the DMK is an "evil force," a common refrain used by AIADMK leaders to target the party's arch-rival.
He claimed that today, there is no single party that can oppose the DMK.
OPS joining the DMK has left many in disbelief, with many wondering how a leader of his stature, who was regarded as only second to 'Amma' Jayalalithaa in terms of stature and hierarchy during his time, could switch to the DMK, which relentlessly targeted Jayalalithaa, who gave him his identity and status. Several online users claimed that all those who had opposed the DMK eventually joined it.
AIADMK top leader KP Munusamy had once praised DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, and Panneerselvan was a very big selfish person who had no principles, he said.
Senior party leader and former minister RB Udhayakumar said OPS joining the DMK has only further strengthened the undisputed leadership of EPS.
Top leader CV Shanmugam said, "Today is our Pongal and Deepavali." In Bodi, AIADMK cadres burst crackers and celebrated the exit of Panneerselvam. DMK leaders welcomed OPS joining their party.