Chennai: In a big twist in Tamil Nadu politics, former Chief Minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam has met Chief Minister MK Stalin in person on the Assembly premises, triggering widespread speculation about his political future ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
Following the meeting, Panneerselvam stated that he congratulated the Chief Minister on the completion of his five-year rule. When questioned about whether he is planning to join the DMK, Panneerselvam responded cryptically, asking reporters to “be patient.”
OPS meets Stalin in Assembly, congratulates him on 5-year rule – decision expected soon
Earlier in the day, R. Ayyappan, a leader from Panneerselvam’s AIADMK splinter group, made an unexpected endorsement of the DMK. This development comes just hours after Panneerselvam met Stalin briefly with a bouquet, highlighting the deepening divisions within the opposition as the DMK builds momentum for the 2026 elections, fresh off its recent alliance with the DMDK.
The interim budget for 2026-2027 was presented in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on February 17. Today, Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and M.R.K. Panneerselvam were responding to the debate on the budget, but the main opposition party, AIADMK, chose to ignore the ministers’ responses.
Against this backdrop, O. Panneerselvam’s personal meeting with Stalin has raised questions about whether he will join the DMK. With supporters gradually leaving his faction, Panneerselvam is expected to announce a major decision in a day or two.