Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has announced his departure from the NDA. This decision, taken just hours after meeting Stalin, has intensified the stir in the state's politics.
Tamil Nadu Politics: In a surprising political move, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has announced his decision to break ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This decision comes just hours after his meeting with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin during a morning walk in Chennai.
At a press conference organized by the OPS faction in Chennai, his associate Panruti Ramachandran confirmed that the AIADMK (Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee) led by OPS will no longer be a part of the NDA.
Split in AIADMK and New Faction
O. Panneerselvam and Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) have been at odds for a long time. While EPS is the current General Secretary of AIADMK, OPS had formed a separate political faction with his supporters. The struggle for power and leadership between the two has been visible on public platforms for several months. By separating from the NDA, OPS has given this struggle a new turn.
Announcement of Political Tour
Ramachandran, a leader from the OPS faction, stated that former Chief Minister Panneerselvam will soon begin touring various parts of Tamil Nadu. This tour is considered quite important in view of the upcoming 2026 Legislative Assembly elections. Currently, OPS is not forming an alliance with any other party, but the possibility of an alliance in the future has not been ruled out depending on the circumstances.
Speculation of Alliance with Vijay's Party
There is talk in political circles that OPS may form an alliance with actor-turned-politician Vijay's party 'Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam' (TVK). However, there has been no official confirmation of this. In such a situation, the entire state is watching OPS's next move.
Silence on Meeting with Stalin
When reporters asked OPS what political meaning should be derived from his meeting with Chief Minister Stalin during the morning walk, he did not comment directly on it. OPS only said that he regularly goes for a morning walk at the Theosophical Society, and he happened to meet Stalin during that time. He also added that it was a casual meeting and too much meaning should not be read into it.
Suspense Remains on Future Alliances
OPS clarified that his party is not currently a part of any alliance, and any decision will be taken only after looking at the circumstances in the future. However, it is clear that by separating from AIADMK and breaking ties with the NDA, OPS is trying to establish his own identity in the state's politics.
