Disaffiliates from the BJP-led NDA Coalition, Indicating Potential Move Towards DMK Party Allegiance for O. Panneerselvam
In a significant political move, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has severed ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on July 31, 2025 [1][2][3]. This decision has left OPS's political faction, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Cadres’ Rights Retrieval Committee, without any formal alliances at present.
OPS, once a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expressed growing frustration over being sidelined by the BJP leadership. This frustration reached a boiling point when the Prime Minister declined to meet OPS during a recent visit to Tamil Nadu, a move that was perceived as a snub [1][2][3].
Following this incident, OPS announced his faction's exit from the NDA, citing longstanding grievances and a need for fair representation. The decision was made following a resolution passed by the 'OPS Supporters' Rights Recovery Committee', a body formed after OPS's expulsion from the AIADMK [1][2][3].
In the wake of this move, OPS plans to embark on a statewide tour to assess the political landscape and future alliances. His aide, Panruti S Ramachandran, clarified that the decision to sever ties with the NDA was unanimous and stemmed from these grievances [1][2][3].
The potential realignment of OPS could have significant implications for Tamil Nadu's political landscape. OPS, despite being a former leader of the AIADMK, has held two meetings with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday, sparking speculation about a possible alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) [1][2][3].
However, it is important to note that the DMK is historically opposed to the AIADMK, the party O. Panneerselvam once helped lead. This potential alignment could challenge the political status quo in Tamil Nadu, adding an interesting twist to the state's political landscape.
In a direct attack on the BJP-led government, OPS publicly criticized the Centre for withholding funds meant for Tamil Nadu's education sector on July 29 [1][2][3]. This action, according to Panneerselvam, is against the Right to Education Act and federalism.
As OPS navigates his independent political journey, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu remains in a state of flux. OPS has maintained his identity as an "AIADMK man" and has not announced plans for a separate political party, signaling a potential return or realignment within Tamil Nadu’s regional political spectrum [3].
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ops-announces-exit-from-nda/article32631662.ece [2] https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/ops-leaves-nda-panneerselvam-faction-exits-bjp-led-alliance-2739083 [3] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ops-announces-exit-from-nda-panneerselvam-faction-exits-bjp-led-alliance-1918847-2022-07-31
- OPS's criticisms of the Centre for withholding funds for Tamil Nadu's education sector could be a sign of his renewed focus on issues such as education in his independent political journey.
- The potential alliance between OPS and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) could have significant consequences for war-and-conflicts and general-news in Tamil Nadu, given their historical differences and the current political landscape in the state.
