Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has voiced his disappointment over not being invited for discussions during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Chennai.
Speaking to reporters after a two-day meeting with AIADMK Cadre’s Rights Retrieval Committee district secretaries, OPS described the exclusion as “hurtful”, emphasizing that his faction continues to be part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Political Context and AIADMK Dynamics
Amit Shah’s visit on April 10 and 11 saw the revival of ties between the BJP and AIADMK, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). However, OPS and his supporters were not included in the discussions, raising concerns about internal divisions within AIADMK.
OPS recalled the 2017 merger between his faction and EPS’s leadership, stating, “Did he not accept that I will be the coordinator [of AIADMK]? And did I not accept that he [EPS] will be the Chief Minister? When parties merge, some consensual comments may emerge. How can I talk about them now?”
Future Political Strategy
OPS confirmed that his committee will visit all districts in the coming weeks to engage with grassroots-level functionaries and determine the next course of action ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Despite the political uncertainty, OPS reiterated his commitment to NDA, signaling that his faction remains open to discussions with BJP leadership.
Conclusion
The exclusion of OPS from Amit Shah’s visit underscores ongoing tensions within AIADMK, as the party navigates alliances and leadership challenges ahead of the 2026 elections. Whether OPS will play a role in future BJP-AIADMK negotiations remains to be seen.
