CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai is expected to quit the party in a couple of days, after meeting party national president Nitin Nabin and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday. Sources confirmed that Annamalai will launch a new political party, though not immediately.
Differences with Party Leadership
Sources added that Annamalai has been having serious differences with the party leadership for several months. While he wanted the BJP to build its organisational strength without aligning with the AIADMK, the national leadership insisted on the alliance with the sole intention of defeating the DMK. This divergence in strategy has been a major point of contention.
Supporters Erect Posters in Coimbatore
Giant posters have been put up by supporters of Annamalai across Coimbatore on Monday, amid reports of his growing differences with the BJP leadership. The posters, carrying slogans such as “Our Leader, Come and Lead Us,” have appeared on major roads and streets in the city ahead of Annamalai’s birthday.
A former IPS officer, Annamalai joined the BJP in 2020 and served as the party’s Tamil Nadu president from 2021 to 2025. During his tenure, he emerged as one of the party’s most visible faces in the state, undertaking statewide campaigns and attracting significant support among youth and social media users.
Speculation Over Next Move
Speculation about his next move intensified after the 2026 assembly elections. His recent criticism of the Centre’s decision to advance the implementation of the three-language policy for Class IX students has also triggered political debate. Annamalai's departure is seen as a significant setback for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, where the party has been trying to expand its footprint.
As the political landscape in Tamil Nadu continues to evolve, Annamalai’s next steps will be closely watched. His new party could potentially alter the dynamics in the state, especially among anti-DMK and anti-AIADMK voters.
