By Mukesh 
When he joined the DMK in the presence of Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, Mr. Panneerselvam was accompanied by only one legislator, P. Ayyappan. After his expulsion from the AIADMK in July 2022, Mr Panneerselvam had the support of two prominent leaders – R. Vaithilingam and P.H. Manoj Pandian. They joined the DMK recently.