'Snap' decision: OPS trades Amma's iconic portrait for Stalin's smile

NEW DELHI: O Panneerselvam made a striking political statement on Friday by replacing a photograph of his late mentor J Jayalalithaa with one of Chief Minister M K Stalin in his car, moments before formally joining the DMK in Chennai.The carefully timed gesture, carried out as he arrived at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters, underscored a dramatic shift in allegiance for the three-time former Chief Minister who once symbolised unwavering loyalty to the AIADMK supremo. The image of Jayalalithaa had long occupied pride of place on his vehicle’s dashboard; its removal signalled a decisive break from his political past. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Chennai, formally switching sides ahead of the forthcoming 2026 Assembly elections. Inducted in the presence of Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin at the party headquarters, Panneerselvam said he would work for the party as a cadre, marking a significant realignment in the state’s political landscape."I have joined the DMK. I will work and support the DMK as a cadre," Panneerselvam told reporters shortly after his induction. His son, P Ravindhranath Kumar, also joined the party.Welcoming him into the fold, Stalin described Panneerselvam as a “dear brother” and praised his humility and virtues."Former Chief Minister and dear brother Thiru. O. Panneerselvam has joined the mother organisation, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. I welcome him with open arms. He, who bears the name of the great leader of the Dravidian movement, has joined our great movement to safeguard the Dravidian movement's ideology," he posted on X.Framing the development in the context of the next Assembly election, Stalin added:"The 2026 Assembly election is a democratic battle between Tamil Nadu and the fascist BJP. It is with this realisation that various democratic forces are joining the DMK alliance. Our brother who has joined us, Thiru. O. Panneerselvam is a loving person, a virtuous person, a humble person! May his arrival be for the welfare! May Tamil Nadu triumph!"Explaining his decision, Panneerselvam said he had chosen to join the DMK to draw a line under his troubled past in the AIADMK."The decision I've taken is my own, to put a fullstop to the bitter experience for me. I thank CM and DMK President Stalin for accepting me to join DMK. I have joined DMK with full joy. EPS is behaving as a dictator, and he has created a situation where AIADMK cannot get victory," Panneerselvam told media persons.Panneerselvam was expelled from the AIADMK in 2022 following a protracted leadership tussle with Edappadi K Palaniswami, a rupture that reshaped the party’s internal power structure and ultimately paved the way for his latest political move.