Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has officially ended his faction's alliance with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape. OPS, who leads the AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee, announced the decision on July 31, 2025, just a year after joining the NDA bloc.
The move follows OPS's exclusion from meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during their recent visits to Tamil Nadu. OPS had reportedly requested to meet the Prime Minister at the airport but was denied, leading to criticism from his supporters and advisors. His advisor, Panruti Ramachandran, suggested that OPS should exit the NDA following the perceived snub.
In response to the BJP's exclusion of OPS, the AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee announced the severance of ties with the NDA. OPS's faction had previously joined the alliance in 2024, but the recent developments have led to a reevaluation of political affiliations.
OPS's decision to part ways with the NDA has implications for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The AIADMK faction's shift could influence the state's political dynamics, potentially altering alliance strategies and voter alignments.