Manoj Pandian joins DMK in CM Stalin’s presence in Chennai

AIADMK MLA from Alangulam, P H Manoj Pandian, with CM M K Stalin and others at the party’s headquarters in Chennai on Tuesday.

Expelled AIADMK MLA from Alangulam, P H Manoj Pandian, joined the ruling DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) on Tuesday in the presence of Chief Minister and party president M K Stalin at the party’s headquarters in Chennai.

According to a report by DT Next, a staunch loyalist of former chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS), Pandian’s switch comes as a major setback to the already weakened OPS faction, which has been grappling with internal disarray and a shrinking base.

Pandian’s move stemmed from his increasing dissatisfaction with O. Panneerselvam’s leadership and the diminishing prospects of his faction.

Tamil Nadu: Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s supporter and Alangulam MLA Manoj Pandian joined the DMK in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam. The event was attended by senior ministers Durai Murugan, K.N. Nehru, E.V. Velu,… pic.twitter.com/xkj7AaHb2g

— IANS (@ians_india) November 4, 2025

“With an assurance of a ticket from the Alangulam constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections, Manoj Pandian decided to align with the ruling DMK,” people familiar with the matter told DT Next.

After joining the party, Pandian announced that he would tender his resignation from the MLA post later this evening.

“I have joined hands with Chief Minister M K Stalin to uphold Dravidian principles and contribute to building a stronger Tamil Nadu,” Pandian was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Since his expulsion from the AIADMK in 2022, Pandian had been a loyal supporter of O. Panneerselvam, actively involved in his long-running legal and political tussles with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), the report added.

With Pandian’s exit, the OPS faction has suffered another blow, leaving only R. Vaithilingam and P. Ayyappan as the remaining MLAs in his camp. However, sources familiar with the matter said Vaithilingam is in advanced discussions with the ruling DMK and may switch sides soon. It may be noted that K. A. Sengottaiyan, another AIADMK MLA recently expelled from the party, had earlier pledged his support to OPS.