CHENNAI: As the Assembly elections draw closer, the political trajectory of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) remains uncertain, with his camp divided on its future course.
Speculation about a shift in allegiance intensified after OPS met with State minister and DMK leader PK Sekarbabu and Assembly Speaker M Appavu at the Assembly premises on Saturday. This encounter fueled widespread discussion within political circles about potential realignments.
Subsequently, OPS held a closed-door consultation with his supporters at a hotel in Alwarpet. During the meeting, he reportedly informed them of an invitation from the ruling DMK and discussed various options, including a potential return to the BJP-led NDA or an alliance with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
However, sources indicate that a majority of senior functionaries in his camp strongly opposed any move to align with the DMK. They argued that such an alliance would be a betrayal of the legacy of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Faced with this resistance, OPS is said to have set aside the DMK proposal for now.
Regarding a return to the BJP-led NDA, sources suggest the proposal also failed to gain wider acceptance among his supporters.
Instead, several leaders are reportedly in favour of aligning with the TVK and contesting the elections independently. This strategy is seen as a way to demonstrate their political strength to the NDA.
It may be recalled that OPS exited the NDA after the recent Lok Sabha elections and has since been functioning independently under the banner of the AIADMK Cadres’ Rights Retrieval Committee, which later became a party.
While expectations persist that he may ally with TVK or return to the NDA, the former Chief Minister has yet to take a final decision, especially after prominent supporters parted ways with him.
Meanwhile, both the BJP and the DMK are continuing their efforts to bring OPS back into their respective alliances, keeping political speculation alive.