CHENNAI: In a stunning political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, three-time former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) is set to join the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday, February 27, 2026. The high-profile induction will take place at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in the presence of Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin.
Strategic Shift Before 2026 Polls: The move comes after OPS hinted at a lack of unity within the AIADMK. He recently disclosed that during discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it was noted that the DMK-led alliance remains “strong” and poised for victory against a divided opposition. Following a meeting with CM Stalin on February 21, OPS publicly acknowledged that the DMK stands a strong chance of retaining power.
A Weakened Opposition: The exit of the ousted AIADMK coordinator follows other high-profile defections. Senior leaders and sitting MLAs like R. Vaithilingam and P.H. Manoj, both staunch OPS loyalists, had already switched allegiance to the DMK earlier this year. As supporters throng the DMK headquarters today, the political landscape of Tamil Nadu appears to be shifting significantly in favour of the ruling party. (TNIE)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com