O Panneerselvam Joins DMK; Deputy General Secretary Post Likely, Key Role for Son Ravindranath

In a sudden turn in Tamil Nadu politics, former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam — once counted among the most steadfast loyalists of J Jayalalithaa — has joined the DMK. Party sources say he has been given the post of Deputy General Secretary, and if the DMK forms the government again, he may be considered for the post of Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, according to sources from Theni.

Alongside him, his son and former MP O P Ravindranath Kumar has also joined the DMK, and discussions are under way on the responsibility to be assigned to him. Sources in Anna Arivalayam indicate that Ravindranath may be appointed as Deputy Secretary of the party’s Youth Wing.

O Panneerselvam, who served three times as Chief Minister during the AIADMK regime under J Jayalalithaa, later found himself sidelined amid shifting political equations and was expelled from the party. He had since been functioning as a separate faction.

Attempts were reportedly made for his re-entry into the AIADMK, but the party leadership under Edappadi K Palaniswami did not give its consent. In the evolving political climate, several key supporters from Panneerselvam’s camp — including former minister Vaithilingam and Manoj Pandian — joined the DMK. Panneerselvam and his supporting MLA Ayyappan, however, continued to function independently.

It is in this backdrop that he is said to have taken the decision to join the DMK. His recent meeting with Chief Minister M K Stalin had already drawn political attention, fuelling speculation about his next move.

Political circles also pointed to remarks made in the Assembly by his supporter Ayyappan as indicative of his shifting political stance. Following a meeting at a star hotel in Chennai, Panneerselvam, accompanied by Minister Sekarbabu, went to Anna Arivalayam where, in the presence of DMK president M K Stalin, he signed the party membership form and formally joined the DMK.

He was welcomed with the party’s black-and-red shawl. At the same event, his son and former MP O P Ravindranath Kumar also signed the membership form and joined the party. For Panneerselvam, who has traversed multiple phases in public life and remained a long-time political opponent of the DMK, the move is being seen as a significant development in Tamil Nadu politics.

Sources indicate that key responsibilities may soon be assigned to him within the DMK. Several leaders who crossed over from the AIADMK — including Sekarbabu and Senthil Balaji — currently hold important ministerial positions in the DMK government. In that context, it is said that Panneerselvam may be given the organisational post of Deputy General Secretary. If the DMK wins the next election, he may also be considered for a ministerial berth or for the posts of Speaker or Deputy Speaker.

Meanwhile, details have begun to emerge regarding a possible role for Ravindranath Kumar. It is said that he may be appointed as the DMK district secretary for the constituency in which Panneerselvam is currently active.

Alternatively, he may be given a state-level responsibility such as Deputy Secretary or Deputy President of the DMK Youth Wing, according to sources from Theni. There are also indications that Ravindranath has sought an opportunity to contest from Theni and has knocked on the doors of Anna Arivalayam in that regard. However, there has been no official confirmation so far. With back-channel discussions reportedly under way, an announcement on new responsibilities is expected in due course.