Ready to rejoin AIADMK, says O. Panneerselvam

Coordinator of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Workers’ Rights Retrieval Kazhagam (AIADMWRRK), O. Pannerselvam, on Thursday (January 29, 2026) expressed his willingness to rejoin the AIADMK. He, however, said the ball was in AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s court.

After meeting with his supporters at his native place, Periyakulam, in Theni district, Mr. Panneerselvam said the objective of the AIADMWRRK was to retrieve the rights of the AIADMK cadres, for which a legal battle was under way.

“If we need to change our stance, all the factions of the AIADMK should come together,” he said.

When asked about AMMK founder, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, appealing to him to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the former Chief Minister said “it was his wish.”

Mr. Dhinakaran and Mr. Palaniswami, who were in opposite camps, have now joined hands, he said, adding: “Mr. Dhinakaran who wanted us to join the NDA fold to bring back AIADMK rule in Tamil Nadu should insist upon this with Mr. Palaniswami. If this happens, the AIADMK will secure a big victory (in the Assembly election).”

Earlier, Mr. Panneerselvam had said the AIADMWRRK’s only objective was to retrieve the rights of the AIADMK cadres through a legal course and not to float a new party. “We have not yet decided on contesting the (Assembly) election,” he added.

Mr. Panneerselvam, who was expelled from the AIADMK, also defended his earlier decision to fight the Lok Sabha election from Ramanathapuram as an Independent. He claimed it was only to prove that his objective had the support of the AIADMK cadres and the people.

“The conspiracy to field several persons named O. Panneerselvam in the same constituency was to discredit me. However, we broke all those conspiracies,” he said.

Mr. Panneerselvam said the AIADMWRRK has unanimously stated that the cadres would abide by the decision of the “high command.”