Former Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K. Annamalai is expected to meet party national president Nitin Nabin in Delhi on Tuesday amid indications that he is upset with the party's performance and may consider leaving the saffron ranks.
The move follows the BJP's poor showing in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, where the party managed to win only one seat in the 234-member assembly. Annamalai, who served as the state party chief until April 2025, has been replaced by Nainar Nagendran.
Speaking to reporters while leaving Chennai for Delhi, Annamalai said, "We will sit down and talk." This statement comes amid speculation that he might float his own political party. Annamalai, a 41-year-old former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer turned politician, is learned to have declined a BJP offer to accept a Rajya Sabha berth.
Annamalai is expected to lay down the future course of action after his meeting with Nitin Nabin on Tuesday. The meeting is seen as crucial for the BJP's strategy in Tamil Nadu, where the party has been struggling to expand its footprint despite several high-profile campaigns.
Political analysts suggest that Annamalai's dissatisfaction stems from the party's lack of support and the poor electoral outcome. His potential departure could be a setback for the BJP in the state, as he has been a prominent face and a vocal critic of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government.
The BJP, which has been trying to strengthen its presence in southern India, faces challenges in Tamil Nadu where regional parties dominate the political landscape. Annamalai's meeting with the party president will be closely watched for any signs of a rift or a possible reconciliation.
