NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran on Friday asserted that the party would face no loss following the exit of former state president K Annamalai. His statement came after Annamalai's resignation from the BJP was formally accepted earlier in the day.
Addressing reporters after Annamalai's departure, Nagendran said, "There is no loss." His remarks followed Annamalai's announcement of a new political movement and his intention to contest future assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, Annamalai addressed supporters via social media, explaining his decision to quit the BJP and launch a new political platform. The former IPS officer revealed that he had informed the BJP leadership of his decision several months prior.
"I told the party on December 4, 2025, that I am going to resign. The party asked me to finish the elections and then go," Annamalai stated.
He said he joined the BJP with the goal of bringing positive change and now believes it is time to build a new political alternative in Tamil Nadu. "We will encourage all segments of society to participate in the political movement. Furthermore, more technocrats will be encouraged to join the party," he said.
Annamalai explained that his proposed movement aims to bring systemic changes to the state's political culture. "We should use all available talent for the development of the state. To achieve that, we have to change our political grammar and culture. We should end cult politics and dynastic politics," he emphasized.
He stressed that politics should not revolve around individuals holding positions indefinitely. "There is no permanent MLA, MP or minister. This includes myself. This is going to be our goal and motto of our political movement," he added.
According to Annamalai, Tamil Nadu requires another political force that can offer a different style of governance and leadership. "There is a need for another political party," he said.
Annamalai urged his supporters to remain patient as the new movement takes shape. "Whoever wants to join, let them be patient. They need a curing period, like a brick used to build a building's foundation. Believe me and stay with me. We will surely bring a revolution to Tamil Nadu and make it the number one state in the country," he said.
He further noted that young people are seeking change and that the movement will connect with them through modern platforms. "Our youth are hungry for change. We cannot ignore them, and that is why we are reaching out to them through social media," he said.
Annamalai announced that the movement will be called the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics and will be headquartered in Coimbatore.
The BJP confirmed that party president Nitin Nabin had accepted Annamalai's resignation from the primary membership of the party. In an official statement, the BJP said, "The National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nitin Nabin, has accepted the resignation submitted by the Tamil Nadu Ex. State President, K. Annamalai, from the primary membership of the Party."
The development came after Annamalai visited New Delhi and held meetings with BJP president Nitin Nabin, party general secretary BL Santhosh, and home minister Amit Shah.
Annamalai's exit follows months of speculation about his future in the BJP. The rumors gained momentum after the BJP's poor performance in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, where the party secured only around three percent vote share while contesting as part of the AIADMK-led alliance.
Despite the recent setback, Annamalai is widely credited with significantly expanding the BJP's presence in Tamil Nadu during his tenure as state president. Under his leadership, the party's vote share rose from around three percent to nearly 11 percent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, the BJP failed to win a parliamentary seat in the state, following which Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendran as Tamil Nadu BJP chief in 2025.
In recent weeks, posters urging Annamalai to return to active politics and lead a new movement had appeared across Coimbatore, fueling speculation that he was preparing to chart an independent political course.
With the launch of the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics, Annamalai has now formally entered a new phase of his political career, setting the stage for a fresh challenge in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
