Unexpected Development in Tamil Nadu Politics!

Those familiar with the roots and nuances of Tamil Nadu politics would find this development hard to digest — even harder to imagine. Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu were born out of strong ideological foundations. While opportunistic politics cannot be entirely ruled out, their contours have traditionally been distinct and ideology-driven.

The two major Dravidian parties — DMK and AIADMK — represent two contrasting streams of political thought. Leaders who differed with their parent party would typically float their own outfits rather than cross over to an ideologically rival camp. Joining the opposing party has always been considered an extraordinary move. Yet, that is exactly what has happened now.

O. Panneerselvam, long regarded as one of the most loyal lieutenants of late AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, has now joined the DMK. Signals of this shift emerged when he met Chief Minister M.K. Stalin a few days ago. However, his formal entry into the DMK along with his son and supporters is being seen as a major and unexpected political development.

For many, O. Panneerselvam is best remembered not merely as a former Chief Minister who held office when Jayalalithaa was jailed, but as her most devoted follower. Even after becoming Chief Minister, he famously refused to sit in Jayalalithaa’s official chair, instead placing her photograph on it and sitting beside it on a separate chair — a symbolic gesture reflecting his deep loyalty.

In the turbulent internal politics that followed within AIADMK, he was eventually expelled from the party along with his supporters. Though he briefly attempted to revive his political relevance with a separate outfit, he remained largely silent in recent times — until this move to join the DMK.

Political circles suggest that the septuagenarian leader may contest again as an MLA from his constituency on a DMK ticket. Observers believe the switch may be aimed less at reviving his own career and more at securing the political future of his son.

Panneerselvam belongs to the influential Thevar community. In Tamil Nadu, where caste dynamics play a crucial role in electoral politics, his entry into the DMK is seen as potentially advantageous for the party. With Sasikala announcing plans for a separate political path and Panneerselvam now aligning with the DMK, analysts believe these developments could further weaken the AIADMK’s traditional support base.