Three-time former CM O. Panneerselvam joins DMK ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Three-time former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has joined DMK in the presence of M.K. Stalin ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Expelled from AIADMK in 2022, OPS’s move signals fresh political churn and a possible triangular contest in the state.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma

Updated : 27 February 2026, 3:17 PM IST

Former AIADMK Leader O. Panneerselvam Switches to DMK (mage Source: Internet)

Chennai: Former three-time Chief Minister and expelled AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam (popularly known as OPS) today formally joined the long-time rival DMK, along with his son, in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, with the Assembly elections round the corner.

According to Dynamite News correspondent, AIADMK’s powerful General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy (popularly known as EPS) refused to take OPS back into the party.

From Loyalist to Political Rivalry

Both OPS and EPS were once die-hard loyalists of AIADMK supremo and former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for a long time. In the power struggle within the AIADMK, EPS not only got rid of OPS, but also another big power centre in the party, V.K. Sasikala, a confidante of Jayalalithaa. Last week, Sasikala floated a new party.

Expulsion and Allegations

Three-time Chief Minister OPS was expelled from AIADMK in 2022 following a leadership tussle with EPS. The reason cited for his expulsion was his alleged links with sand mining baron Shekar Reddy. It was alleged that OPS was on the payroll of Shekar Reddy, who was arrested by the Income Tax Department for money laundering. OPS was alleged to have received huge sums of money from Reddy.

Three Terms as Chief Minister

OPS became Chief Minister for the first time in 2001 and served until 2002. He again became Chief Minister for the second time in 2014 and continued until 2015.

His first two terms as Chief Minister came when he replaced Jayalalithaa after she was forced to resign by various courts. OPS’s third term as Chief Minister began in the aftermath of Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016.

After serving as Chief Minister three times, OPS later joined as Deputy Chief Minister from 2017 to 2021 in the EPS-led government.

Political Impact Ahead of Polls

Regardless of the pros and cons of OPS and Sasikala’s exit from AIADMK, it is certain that the days of trouble are not yet over for the AIADMK, which is presently aligned with the BJP-led NDA.

With actor-turned-politician Vijay also entering the political fray with his party TVK, Tamil Nadu is set to witness a triangular contest in the upcoming Assembly polls.