O Panneerselvam Formally Joins DMK in Presence of Chief Minister Stalin
In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, three-time chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, aged 75, officially joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Friday morning. The induction ceremony took place at Anna Arivalayam, the party's headquarters, in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin, signaling a major realignment ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Strategic Move with Potential Electoral Implications
Sources within the DMK have indicated that the party is likely to allocate a seat to Panneerselvam for contesting in the forthcoming assembly polls. The constituency under consideration is Bodinayakkanur in Theni district, which he successfully won in the 2021 elections. This move is seen as a strategic effort by the DMK to bolster its electoral prospects in the region.
The coordination behind this political shift was evident as Minister P K Sekarbabu accompanied Panneerselvam in the same car to the event, highlighting a well-planned maneuver by the ruling party. DMK leaders have confirmed that there was an exchange of messages with Panneerselvam prior to his formal induction, with a senior leader previously indicating that his joining was scheduled for Friday morning.
Background and Political Trajectory
O Panneerselvam's decision to join the DMK came after AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami welcomed AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran, another expelled AIADMK leader, into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Palaniswami had remained firm in his stance against taking back Panneerselvam, leaving him with limited options.
In preparation for this move, Panneerselvam had checked into a hotel on Radhakrishnan Salai and remained unreachable before the official announcement. His supporters, including R Vaithilingam and Paul Manoj Pandian, had recently resigned their MLA posts and joined the DMK, setting the stage for his own transition.
Recent Political Maneuvers and Statements
Earlier in August, Panneerselvam withdrew from the NDA, citing perceived insults from the BJP camp. However, four months later, he met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey that he would not rejoin the NDA unless the AIADMK factions were unified. During this meeting, Shah reportedly stated that the DMK alliance is strong enough to win against a divided AIADMK.
Panneerselvam recounted, "I pleaded with him to bring together the groups and unify the party. He (Shah) said he had tried to persuade (EPS) but he wouldn't listen... Shall I join the Sankara mutt?" This dialogue underscores the complexities and frustrations that led to his eventual shift to the DMK.
Internal Dynamics and Family Considerations
Supporters of Panneerselvam revealed that the decision to join the DMK was not an easy one, with some of his kin expressing reluctance about the move. A source close to him noted, "Some of his kin were not keen on the move." Despite this, another aide emphasized, "But it was the right thing to do given the circumstances. He wants to take on Palaniswami. He can do it only by joining a powerful force like DMK."
Historical Context and Political Career
Panneerselvam's political journey has been marked by significant roles within the AIADMK. Late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa appointed him as stand-in chief minister twice, in 2001 and 2014. Following Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, he became chief minister again but lost the position within a few months. He later served as deputy chief minister and joint coordinator of the AIADMK, but his differences with Palaniswami intensified over time.
In July 2022, Palaniswami orchestrated amendments to the party bylaws, eliminating the dual leadership structure and resulting in Panneerselvam's expulsion from the AIADMK. This move solidified the rift between the two leaders and set the stage for Panneerselvam's eventual departure from the party.
Electoral Prospects and Seat Allocation
Regarding the potential seat allocation, a DMK leader mentioned that while Bodinayakkanur is a strong contender, there are internal party aspirants for that constituency. As a result, Panneerselvam might be offered another seat in the same region to accommodate both his candidacy and party dynamics.
In the 2024 general elections, Panneerselvam contested independently from Ramanathapuram and secured a second-place finish with 3.42 lakh votes, demonstrating his enduring electoral appeal. This performance likely influenced the DMK's decision to bring him into their fold, aiming to leverage his voter base and experience in the upcoming assembly elections.
The induction of O Panneerselvam into the DMK represents a pivotal moment in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, potentially reshaping alliances and strategies as parties gear up for the electoral battle ahead. His experience and following could prove instrumental in the DMK's campaign efforts, particularly in key constituencies like Bodinayakkanur and surrounding areas.
