Unhappy over party role, OPS may quit DMK just 6 months after joining

Weeks after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK legislator O Panneerselvam (OPS) dismissed reports of him leaving the party, sources within the OPS camp have said that both he and his son are unhappy over not being given any role, even six months after joining the DMK.

Sources further said that Panneerselvam has not been given any role in the Theni Lok Sabha constituency, despite becoming the legislator from there, as DMK MP Thanga Tamil Selvan continues to dominate the constituency. This has led Panneerselvam and his son, OP Raveendranath, to contemplate quitting the DMK and joining Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Earlier this month, Panneerselvam had rejected speculation that he was preparing to leave the DMK and join the ruling TVK, saying the claims being circulated on social media were merely rumours spread by political mischief-makers.

He said political discourse in Tamil Nadu was increasingly being driven by talk of leaders changing parties, and described such speculation as a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people. He also went on to call the reports baseless and politically motivated.

Responding to social media posts suggesting that he was considering a switch, the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said there was no truth to the claims and accused those spreading them of trying to create political mischief.

Panneerselvam described DMK as the “parent body” and “fountainhead” of Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian political movement. He said he remained committed to the movement and urged people not to give credence to unsubstantiated reports.

OPS slammed the circulation of what he called “cheap rumours” and said people had already begun discussing the TVK government, adding that he expected dramatic political changes in the near future without elaborating.

Panneerselvam, who has served as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister three times, was expelled from the AIADMK in 2022. He joined the DMK on February 27, 2026, in the presence of then Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Weeks after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK legislator O Panneerselvam (OPS) dismissed reports of him leaving the party, sources within the OPS camp have said that both he and his son are unhappy over not being given any role, even six months after joining the DMK.

Sources further said that Panneerselvam has not been given any role in the Theni Lok Sabha constituency, despite becoming the legislator from there, as DMK MP Thanga Tamil Selvan continues to dominate the constituency. This has led Panneerselvam and his son, OP Raveendranath, to contemplate quitting the DMK and joining Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Earlier this month, Panneerselvam had rejected speculation that he was preparing to leave the DMK and join the ruling TVK, saying the claims being circulated on social media were merely rumours spread by political mischief-makers.

He said political discourse in Tamil Nadu was increasingly being driven by talk of leaders changing parties, and described such speculation as a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people. He also went on to call the reports baseless and politically motivated.

Responding to social media posts suggesting that he was considering a switch, the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said there was no truth to the claims and accused those spreading them of trying to create political mischief.

Panneerselvam described DMK as the “parent body” and “fountainhead” of Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian political movement. He said he remained committed to the movement and urged people not to give credence to unsubstantiated reports.

OPS slammed the circulation of what he called “cheap rumours” and said people had already begun discussing the TVK government, adding that he expected dramatic political changes in the near future without elaborating.

Panneerselvam, who has served as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister three times, was expelled from the AIADMK in 2022. He joined the DMK on February 27, 2026, in the presence of then Chief Minister MK Stalin.