Chennai: Hours after his resignation was accepted by BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Friday, former BJP state president K Annamalai announced the launch of his political movement aimed at combating 'cult and dynastic politics' in Tamil Nadu, in an apparent reference to TVK and DMK.
Movement to Evolve into Party
Annamalai stated that the movement would transform into a political party 'at an appropriate time.' He said, 'Our party will contest the next general election. We have to prepare our volunteers, cadres and leaders for it.' In a video interaction streamed on social media from Delhi, he invited people to join as volunteers through the portal 'We the leader.' By 11pm on Friday, nearly 10 lakh people had registered.
Focus on Local Body Elections
The former IPS officer emphasized encouraging honest and efficient individuals to participate in upcoming local body elections. They would receive training at the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre of Excellence on Ethics and Politics in Coimbatore. Later, he arrived in Chennai to a warm welcome, with several BJP functionaries, including state vice president Karu Nagarajan who resigned from the party, greeting him.
While not revealing the name or ideology of his proposed party, Annamalai outlined its broad contours. His pledge to end cult and dynastic politics suggests TVK and DMK as primary targets. He noted that youngsters yearn for change, indicating a likely focus on Gen Z voters. Annamalai also said he would treat all political parties, including BJP, equally, signaling he would not hesitate to criticize his former party. 'I will practise dignified politics,' he said.
Nationalistic and Tamil Pride
The focus on former President APJ Abdul Kalam suggests the party will have a nationalistic view while being rooted in Tamil pride. Emphasizing the need to change the state's political grammar and culture, Annamalai said, 'There is certainly a need for another political party at this juncture.'
In a veiled attack on chief minister C Joseph Vijay, Annamalai said practicing cult politics while promising change was contradictory. 'We want to end cult politics. So we must promote an uncompromised, ideology-driven political movement,' he said. He noted they are not competitors to anyone but would stand firm on the state's rights, culture and tradition.
Ending Dynastic Politics
Stressing the need to end dynastic politics, he said there are no permanent MLAs, MPs or ministers. 'No chair is permanent for anybody. We will bring term limits to determine how many times one can be an MLA, MP or minister. This includes myself. This will encourage new entrants and a stream of fresh ideas.'
Annamalai said establishing 'clean politics' from the village panchayat level is the prime objective. 'We are going to bring a new generation into politics. They are hungry for change,' he said, urging patience as the movement should be built brick by brick to establish a strong ideological foundation.
'Believe me and stay with me, we will bring a revolution and change for TN and make it the number one state in the country,' he added, emphasizing readiness for sacrifices.
Resignation from BJP
Justifying his decision to quit BJP, Annamalai said it was not hasty. He conveyed his decision to national leadership on December 24, 2025, and the party asked him to continue till elections were over. Thanking BJP for the opportunity, he recalled turning down actor Rajinikanth's request to join his proposed political outfit to join BJP.
In his resignation letter to BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Annamalai said national parties never spoke the language Tamil Nadu people understood. 'I have tried to change this belief and also found reasonable success despite multiple roadblocks, barriers and obstructions from both inside and outside.' He also recalled 'multiple conversations with the top leadership and the disagreements' he expressed over the past 18 months.
