• Source:JND
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Three-time ex-Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), a senior leader from the influential Thevar community, has withdrawn his faction from the BJP-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, dealing a major blow to the national party’s election plans. The move follows OPS being excluded from key meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during their recent visits to the state, a snub that reportedly left him deeply dissatisfied.

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OPS loyalist Panruti Ramachandran confirmed the decision, stating the reason for the split was "widely known." He added that OPS would announce his next political steps soon, emphasizing the need to form the "right alliance to lead the people in the right direction." For now, OPS plans to tour Tamil Nadu ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly election.

Speculation about a new alliance surged after OPS was seen meeting Chief Minister MK Stalin. While the morning encounter was downplayed as coincidental, OPS later visited Stalin’s residence, where Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was also present. A video released by the DMK showed the trio engaging warmly. According to sources, OPS inquired about Stalin’s health following the Chief Minister’s recent hospitalization for a heart-related procedure. However, any alliance with the DMK could risk alienating OPS’s core AIADMK base, as he is seen by many as the political heir to J Jayalalithaa.

OPS could choose to contest the 2026 polls independently. While he’s unlikely to win a majority, his influence over the Thevar vote, particularly in the south, could make him a kingmaker. Another possibility is a reconciliation with the BJP, with whom he partnered during the 2024 Lok Sabha election after AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) broke ties with the BJP. An intriguing third option is an alliance with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which has rejected ties with all three major parties, BJP, DMK, and AIADMK.

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Despite being ousted from the AIADMK in 2022 after a bitter leadership fight with EPS, OPS retains grassroots support and loyalty from a section of party workers. As a three-time MLA from Bodinayakkanur in Theni district, he holds significant sway among the Thevar community, which comprises 10-12 percent of Tamil Nadu’s electorate. His exit could disrupt AIADMK-BJP plans, potentially splintering the Thevar vote and weakening their collective hold in southern Tamil Nadu.