Coimbatore: BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai announced on Friday (April 4) that he is not in the race for the party’s state leadership. Addressing the media in Coimbatore, he stated, “There is no contest in Tamil Nadu BJP; we will select a leader unanimously. But I am not in the race. I am not in the BJP state leadership race.” He emphasized that he would continue to serve as an “ordinary worker” of the party.
Annamalai’s decision comes amid growing speculation about a potential alliance between the BJP and AIADMK for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Recently, AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, sparking rumors of a renewed alliance. AIADMK had severed ties with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, citing Annamalai’s remarks against their leaders. Both parties performed poorly in the general elections, leading to renewed talks of reconciliation.
According to sources, AIADMK has reportedly insisted that the alliance can only move forward if Annamalai steps down as state BJP president. Following Palaniswami’s meeting with Amit Shah, Annamalai also met the Union Home Minister, who assured him that the party values his contributions but must consider political realities.
Annamalai downplayed the development, stating that BJP, as a national party, must take strategic decisions to challenge the ruling DMK-led UPA in Tamil Nadu. His departure could also be influenced by caste dynamics, as both he and Palaniswami belong to the Gounder community. The BJP may appoint a leader from a different caste to strengthen its electoral prospects.
Several names are being speculated for the next Tamil Nadu BJP president, including Thevar leader Nayanar Nagendran, Dalit leader and Union Minister L Murugan, and Nadar leader Tamilisai Soundararajan.
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