OPS-TVK: Seat-sharing is a barrier in coalition negotiations, but Panneerselvam maintains the DMK option open
OPS-TVK: Seat-sharing is the main point of contention in talks between actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam regarding a potential alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
As part of an alliance agreement, the OPS camp has requested 20 Assembly seats, according to those involved with the talks. Following internal discussions, the TVK leadership has indicated that it is prepared to accept up to 15 seats.
It is believed that the plan changed throughout conversations, starting off as a lesser offer and then being raised to 15 constituencies.
Although negotiations have advanced, the OPS camp has not made a final decision. Conflicting opinions within the group have postponed a formal response, according to leaders close to Panneerselvam.
According to reports, a sizable portion of supporters are pushing for an alliance with the governing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), claiming that given the party’s organizational strength and voter base, such a partnership may boost election chances.
However, supporters of a collaboration with TVK think it may result in more seats and provide the OPS group the opportunity to negotiate districts of its choosing.
The OPS group, which is now running under the name AIADMK Rights Retrieval Kazhagam, is mostly vying for seats in the southern districts of Madurai, Ramanathapuram, and Theni, where Panneerselvam and his allies still hold sway.
Along with a few former AIADMK MLAs, OPS’s son, former MP O.P. Ravindranath, is coordinating negotiations with TVK. Senior TVK figures, like as K.A. Sengottaiyan, the party’s top coordinator, who has openly said that Panneerselvam is anticipated to stay independent while joining the larger TVK-led coalition rather than merging his organization with the party, have been in discussions with them.
Panneerselvam himself has remained silent and has not made any public statements on the prospective partnership in spite of these indications.
There is still disagreement among senior figures in his camp, some of whom do not believe that joining TVK would have any political benefits.
A smaller but outspoken portion of the group is still pushing to finalize the arrangement with TVK, but estimates inside the group indicate that the majority may now tilt toward investigating a DMK affiliation.
Both sides are anticipated to continue talks as Panneerselvam considers conflicting political considerations before making a final decision, given the Assembly elections are still a ways off.