Published Feb 20, 2026 | 5:38 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 20, 2026 | 6:50 PM
O Panneerselvam. (X)
Synopsis: Speculation that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is imminently joining the ruling DMK gained fresh momentum on Friday after Ayyappan P, AIADMK MLA for Usilampatti and an ardent supporter of OPS, called for the DMK’s return to power in the Assembly. This was followed by OPS meeting Chief Minister MK Stalin to extend his greetings as the government completed its five-year term.
Two events on Friday, 20 February, the last day of the final session of the current Tamil Nadu Assembly, have left political circles in the poll-bound state abuzz.
Chief Minister MK Stalin and leaders from various parties delivered their valedictory speeches. After this, Usilampatti MLA Ayyappan P’s remarks calling for the incumbent DMK administration to return to power sparked political intrigue.
“With the blessings of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, and our leader OPS, I wish that Chief Minister MK Stalin wins again and forms the government,” he said.
Ayyappan is a member of the opposition AIADMK and an ardent supporter of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who was expelled from the party.
His remarks, along with later reports that OPS met Stalin in the Assembly, gave fresh life to months-long rumours that he may be set to join the DMK.
After the session, Ayyappan hinted that he spoke on instructions but was cryptic about who gave them.
“They told me to speak, so I spoke,” he told South First. “The Speaker suddenly asked me to speak, so I did. Everyone praised the government, so I also spoke in appreciation.”
At the same time, OPS confirmed that he met Stalin and said he had called on the Chief Minister to extend his greetings as the DMK government completed its five-year term.
He said that Ayyappan had voiced the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu in the Assembly. He added that the government’s achievements over the past five years remain in people’s minds and that the DMK has the opportunity to form the government again.
Asked about his next political move, he said, “Please be patient.”
For months after his expulsion from the AIADMK, OPS maintained that his aim was to unite the party. He launched an organisation called the AIADMK Cadres’ Rights Retrieval Association and continued his political activities under that banner.
Late last year, he left the NDA alliance even as the AIADMK rejoined it. At the time, he said he would soon announce the next phase of his political journey, specifying that it would come in the Tamil month of Thai in January.
He also jointly announced an alliance with other former AIADMK leaders, including former Minister KA Sengottaiyan and AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran. But, Sengottaiyan later joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
At the same time, OPS said he was ready to rejoin the AIADMK without conditions. But AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami has firmly ruled out such a possibility.
Political circles have for months speculated that OPS may move to the DMK, especially as his return to the AIADMK looks unlikely.
His meeting with Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday, along with his statement that the DMK has a chance to return to power, has strengthened that view.
Notably, this is the third time OPS has met Stalin. Sources in DMK-supporting circles said that if the DMK returns to power, OPS could be given a significant role in the Assembly.
Ayyappan, meanwhile, told South First that he would follow OPS wherever he went.
“Our leader OPS worked tirelessly for the AIADMK for so many years. But he was humiliated repeatedly. He was even prevented from continuing in the NDA. In such a situation, whatever decision our leader takes, we will stand by him. Wherever he goes, we will go with him.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
