Speculation has been rife about K Annamalai’s possible exit from the BJP, a sharp reversal from the time when he was the face of the saffron party in Tamil Nadu. Rumors about his future plans gained prominence after Annamalai was not included in the BJP’s list of candidates for the recently concluded Assembly elections, and the party’s poor performance was not helpful either.
Amid the growing hype, Annamalai on Monday left from Chennai to meet senior BJP officers in Delhi. As he left, reporters asked if he might launch a new political group. “Please wait. We will sit and talk in two days,” Annamalai replied.
Annamalai’s entry into BJP
K Annamalai is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer (2011 Karnataka Cadre). He resigned in 2020 after nearly nine years of service. He chose to enter active politics in 2020, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Annamalai made his electoral debut in Tamil Nadu under the BJP ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections. Despite his loss, he was appointed as the state unit president of the BJP.
However, last year, he did not contest the race to become Tamil Nadu BJP president again. Since being replaced in the position by Nainar Nagendran, Annamalai has largely stayed out of the limelight.
In fact, Annamalai resigned from his charge of taking charge of the BJP elections in the six constituencies in February. He had cited his father’s ill health as a reason, but people familiar with the matter also said Annamalai was upset about being limited to just six of the 234 assembly seats.
From the spotlight to the sidelines?
Annamalai went from being the undisputed face of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit to not contesting the 2026 state assembly elections.
As speculation mounted about the BJP snubbing Annamalai in the electoral contest, the leader clarified that the decision not to contest the elections was his own. Annamalai said he had informed the party leadership in writing of his decision to stay away from the electoral fray and campaign for the National Democratic Alliance.
Read also | ‘Grateful to BJP’: K Annamalai clarifies after party snubs Tamil Nadu polls, citing ‘choice’
Subsequently, the BJP performed poorly in the elections, winning only one of the state’s 234 seats. The results created more buzz about Annamalai’s future plans and leadership change in the party’s Tamil Nadu unit.
Amid a new wave of rumours, Annamalai has now asked the media to wait for two days before speaking to them. He is expected to meet BJP national president Nitin Nabin in Delhi on Tuesday.
Annamalai “feels that there is no opportunity and future for him in the BJP,” said an unnamed BJP leader, as mentioned in the NDTV report.
