In a seismic realignment of Tamil Nadu political landscape just a few months ahead of Legislative Assembly elections O. Panneerselvam, three times former Chief Minister and a staunch loyalist former AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, joined the DMK in the presence of party president and Chief Minister M.K Stalin on February 27, 2026.
On February 20, the last sitting of the 16th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Mr. Pannerselvam had called on Mr. Stalin on the premises of the House and said the ruling DMK has a chance of retaining power.
Mr. Panneerselvam and his supporters were expelled from the AIADMK in July 2022. He unsuccessfully contested Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha seat as an Independent candidate backed by the BJP-led NDA in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are slated to be held in 2026.
After the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam joined the DMK on Friday (February 27, 2026), V.K. Sasikala in a X post said “This decision by Mr. O. Panneerselvam, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, senior pioneer of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Member of the Legislative Assembly, is very unfortunate.”
She added “Considering the DMK as an evil force that needs to be removed from Tamil Nadu, it would be a wrong decision to join the DMK, thinking it is the mother party.”
Ms. Sasikala said “But the reason for all these situations is the same. He is no one else. Those who have declared themselves the leader of the AIADMK, those who are deceiving those around them, those who are under the complete control of the DMK and who have expelled everyone in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and who are continuing to act against the policies of the revolutionary leader and the revolutionary leader Amma, the time of destruction has come. In this situation, in the upcoming assembly elections, under my leadership, the blood of the revolutionary leader and the lions descended from the revolutionary leader Amma will definitely defeat the enemies and traitors.”
Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who joined the DMK on February 27, 2026, resigned his MLA post. He was representing Bodinayakkanur Assembly segment as AIADMK MLA. Mr. Panneerselvam’s supporter and Usilampatti MLA P. Ayyappan also resigned his MLA post. — N. Sai Charan
The AIADMK’s IT wing has strongly reacted to Mr. Panneerselvam’s entry to the DMK.
In a long X post in Tamil, the party’s AIADMK IT wing handled called Mr. Panneerselvam a “chameleon”. The post also ridicules his ‘dharma yuddham’, a revolt he undertook against Sasikala and Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
Addressing a press conference after joining the DMK, Mr. Panneerselvam said “The entire country is closely watching the leadership of Mr. Stalin. He has set the grammar for how to run a political party. Over the last five years, Mr. Stalin, as Chief Minister, has delivered growth across all sectors and has been providing an efficient and commendable administration to the people of Tamil Nadu.” — N. Sai Charan
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said “After Amma’s [Jayalalithaa] death, lakhs of AIADMK cadre have joined the DMK under Thalapathi’s [Mr. Stalin] leadership.” — N. Sai Charan
While speaking to reporters after joining the DMK, Mr. Panneerselvam said “Edappadi. K. Palaniswami is conducting himself in politics like an autocrat, with an arrogant approach.”
He added “Palaniswami has created a situation in which the AIADMK may never be able to achieve success in politics.” — N. Sai Charan
Mr. Panneerselvam said “In the path and political culture of embracing everyone shown by Anna [C. N. Annadurai] and Kalaignar [M. Karunanidhi], Thalapathy [M.K. Stalin] is leading the party and the government.” — N. Sai Charan
After joining the DMK, former TN Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said “It gives me immense happiness that I have joined the ‘Thaai Kazhagam’ (parent party), the DMK, founded by Perarignar Anna [Former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai].”
While addressing the media, Mr. Panneerselvam said “I thank DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin by referring to him as ‘Thalapathy’.” — N. Sai Charan
In August last year, Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Stalin stumbled upon each other at the Theosophical Society during their morning walks. The meeting between both the leaders happened just after Mr. Panneerselvam walked out of the National Democratic Alliance after he was not given an appointment to meet Prime Minister Narendra when the latter was visiting Tamil Nadu.
On the same day, Mr. Panneerselvam visited Mr. Stalin’s house. It was termed as a courtesy visit to enquire about the death of the Chief Minister’s elder brother.
Just six days ago, the leaders met again – this time to congratulate Mr. Stalin’s successful completion of five years in government. — N. Sai Charan
After former Tamil Nadu CM O. Panneerselvam formally joined the DMK, the supporters of Mr. Pannerselvam in large numbers greeted Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. — N. Sai Charan
Mr. Panneerselvam, who had also served as Deputy Chief Minister in Edappadi K. Palaniswami led AIADMK government between 2017 and 2021, was the fourth AIADMK legislator to switch sides in recent times.
Earlier former School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, who represented Gobichettipalayam in the Assembly resigned his MLA post to join actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Mr. Panneerselvam’s supports Paul Manoj Pandian and R. Vaithilingam, who represented Alangulam and Orathanad Assembly segments respectively, resigned their MLA posts and joined the DMK.
Mr. Pannerselvam enjoys considerable support from his Mukkulathor community in southern Tamil Nadu. — N. Sai Charan
O. Pannerselvam, incumbent AIADMK MLA from Bodinayakkanur, along with his supporters including Usilampatti MLA P. Ayyappan arrived at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK Headquarters in Chennai, and was received by DMK Ministers. Later he filled the DMK membership form to join the party.
In a seismic realignment of Tamil Nadu political landscape just a few months ahead of Legislative Assembly elections O. Panneerselvam, three times former Chief Minister and a staunch loyalist former AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, joined the DMK in the presence of party president and Chief Minister M.K Stalin on February 27, 2026. — N. Sai Charan
In a seismic realignment of Tamil Nadu political landscape just a few months ahead of Legislative Assembly elections O. Panneerselvam, three times former Chief Minister and a staunch loyalist former AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, joined the DMK in the presence of party president…
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) February 27, 2026
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam arrived at Anna Arivalayam. Supporters raised slogans against Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
– @nscwrites reports pic.twitter.com/hfIDCJjxOa
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) February 27, 2026
Former three-time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam arrives at Anna Arivalayam to join the DMK in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Mr. Pannerselvam’s supporters chant slogans against AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. — N. Sai Charan