Chennai: K Annamalai, the former president of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, is scheduled to hold a press conference on June 5, where he is expected to outline his future political plans, sources revealed.
Earlier on Tuesday, Annamalai met with BJP national president Nitin Nabin and the party's national general secretary (organisation), B L Santhosh, in New Delhi. During the meeting, he submitted his resignation letter and also handed over a five-page note detailing the BJP's performance in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The meetings come amid intense speculation about Annamalai's political trajectory. According to sources, Annamalai is planning to launch a new regional political party that associates describe as having a secular and Tamil-first outlook. The proposed outfit could be launched within six to eight months and aims to position itself as an alternative to both the BJP and the Dravidian major parties in Tamil Nadu.
Those close to Annamalai said he envisions a political platform that combines Tamil identity with a national outlook, while remaining issue-based in its opposition to rival parties. This development follows months of differences between Annamalai and the BJP's central leadership over the party's political strategy in Tamil Nadu. Sources indicated that Annamalai was dissatisfied with the BJP's decision to revive its alliance with the AIADMK and with aspects of candidate selection ahead of the recent assembly elections.
Annamalai's political journey has been closely watched since he resigned from the BJP. His potential move to form a new party could reshape the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, offering voters a new option beyond the traditional Dravidian parties and the BJP. The press conference on June 5 is expected to provide clarity on his next steps and the timeline for launching the new political entity.
