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Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam Joins DMK, Citing Stalin’s Record

Updated (10 articles)

OPS Defects to DMK, Resigns MLA Seat On Feb 27 2026 O. Panneerselvam formally left the AIADMK, surrendered his Bodinayakkanur MLA seat, and was inducted into the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam at the Anna Arivalayam headquarters in Chennai, flanked by supporters such as Usilampatti MLA P. Ayyappan[1]. He announced the move in a press conference, emphasizing a new political direction. The induction was marked by heightened security and a large gathering of his southern‑district followers[1].

OPS Praises Stalin’s Five‑Year Growth Record At the same event OPS lauded Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stating that the past five years delivered growth across all sectors and efficient administration in Tamil Nadu[1]. He referenced recent personal meetings with Stalin during morning walks at the Theosophical Society and a visit to Stalin’s residence to discuss his brother’s death, suggesting these interactions paved the way for his switch[1]. OPS also condemned former AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami as an autocrat whose conduct could jeopardize the party’s electoral prospects[1].

Stalin Promises Accelerated Governance Ahead of 2026 Polls On Feb 20 2026 Stalin addressed the final sitting of the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, declaring that the DMK will return to power this year and will operate with greater speed and commitment[2]. He introduced the “Dravidian Model 2.0,” linking it to the legacies of Periyar, Annadurai, and Karunanidhi, and pledged to surpass the party’s previous achievements[2]. Emphasizing leadership virtues such as patience and compassion, Stalin thanked voters across all 234 constituencies and highlighted the government’s flagship schemes launched despite financial constraints[2].

AIADMK Reacts and Supporters Mobilize After Defection The AIADMK’s information‑technology wing posted a lengthy X message branding OPS a political “chameleon” and mocking his earlier revolt against Sasikala and Palaniswami[1]. Thousands of OPS’s followers from Theni, Madurai, Tiruppatur and other southern districts converged on the DMK headquarters, chanting slogans against Palaniswami and celebrating the new alliance[1]. Security was tightened around the venue as the party transition unfolded[1].

Sources

Timeline

Jan 1980 – The DMK‑Congress(I) combine sweeps the Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha seats, while the ruling AIADMK led by M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) suffers a rout, signalling a major shift in voter sentiment. [4]

Jan 9, 1980 – MGR refuses to resign, arguing that recent AIADMK‑CPI(M) by‑election victories and his preference for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi demonstrate continued public support for his state government. [4]

Feb 16, 1980 – Following a Union Cabinet recommendation, President N. Sanjiva Reddy invokes Article 356 to dismiss the Tamil Nadu assembly, joining seven other non‑Congress states in central intervention. [4]

May 1980 – After four months of President’s rule, the AIADMK‑CPI(M) alliance wins the Tamil Nadu assembly election, restoring MGR to the chief‑ministerial post. [4]

Dec 14, 2025 – Chief Minister M.K. Stalin tells a DMK youth‑wing meeting in Tiruvannamalai that neither Amit Shah nor the Sangh Parivar can win in Tamil Nadu, quoting a Tamil film line to stress the state’s distinct character and positioning the DMK as the sole regional bulwark against the BJP. [10]

Dec 23, 2025 – Union Minister Piyush Goyal meets AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami in Chennai for NDA seat‑sharing talks, denounces the DMK as corrupt, and declares the NDA will secure a sweeping victory under Prime Minister Modi in the 2026 Assembly election. [9]

Jan 1, 2026 – The Tamil Nadu political arena crowds with new parties such as TVK, Naam Tamilar Katchi and DMDK; heavyweight K. A. Sengottaiyan defects to TVK while MLA P. Manoj Pandian joins the DMK, and O. Panneerselvam’s meeting with Stalin fuels speculation of an OPS‑AIADMK‑BJP alignment, though officials rule out a direct DMK‑OPS pact. [8]

Jan 4, 2026 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at a BJP roadshow in Pudukottai, brands the DMK government the “most corrupt,” pledges an NDA victory in April 2026, and promises to install CM M.K. Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin as the next chief minister. [6]

Jan 4, 2026 – AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, speaking at a Salem rally, declares the party will form the next Tamil Nadu government on its own, attacks the DMK over pension and law‑and‑order issues, alleges massive corruption, and predicts AIADMK will win all 11 Salem constituencies in the 2026 polls. [7]

Feb 18, 2026 – Congress leaders within the Secular Progressive Alliance publicly demand a larger share of power; the DMK rebuffs the request, while internal dissent from MPs Manickam Tagore and Praveen Chakravarty strains the alliance ahead of the 2026 election. [5]

Feb 19, 2026 – The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) formally joins the DMK‑led alliance at Anna Arivalayam, announces a seat‑allocation committee, and says the final candidate list will be released by Chief Minister Stalin, fulfilling founder Captain Vijayakant’s 2016 wish for a DMK tie‑up. [3]

Feb 20, 2026 – Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, addressing the final sitting of the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, vows faster governance under “Dravidian Model 2.0,” promises the DMK will return to power after the 2026 polls, and emphasizes leadership qualities that will lift the state to greater heights. [2]

Feb 27, 2026 – Former chief minister O. Panneerselvam resigns his Bodinayakkanur MLA seat, joins the DMK at Anna Arivalayam, praises Stalin’s five‑year growth record, condemns Edappadi K. Palaniswami as an autocrat, and brings a large contingent of southern‑district supporters to the DMK headquarters. [1]

2026 (future) – The DMK plans to announce the DMDK seat‑allocation list, the NDA aims to form a government in Tamil Nadu by April 2026, AIADMK projects a clean sweep in Salem, and both parties gear up for the statewide Assembly election slated for later in 2026, with the DMK asserting it will regain power and the BJP targeting the state as its next major win. [2][3][6][7][9]

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