In another setback for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu, former MLA Sampath has resigned from the party, days after former state president K Annamalai announced his exit. However, Sampath did not join Annamalai’s newly formed movement, ‘Idhu Namma Iyakkam’ (This is Our Movement), but instead joined Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) movement.
Sampath said the main reason for quitting the BJP was the lack of internal democracy within the party in the state and its continued disconnection from the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu. He also said that the party has not only hurt former state BJP president Annamalai but also party workers like him.
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“It is true that I joined the BJP believing that it would work for the welfare of Tamil Nadu and bring a positive change in the state. The main reason for this attraction was Annamalai,” Sampath was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Sampath said his resignation became inevitable after Annamalai, who followed him in the BJP, quit the party.
“There is no democracy within the BJP today and the party has failed to understand the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu. I have always been a follower of Annamalai and it is only because of him that I have continued my journey in the BJP till now. The BJP members not only hurt Annamalai emotionally but also caused immense hardship to party workers like us. That is why I resigned from the BJP immediately after Annamalai left,” he added.
BJP president urges cadres not to leave the party and trust Modi
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Saturday urged party cadres not to leave the BJP, describing it as a “mega party” led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after Annamalai’s exit and formation of a new political movement.
Speaking to reporters, Nagendran said: “My request to the BJP cadres is: Don’t go to any other party or movement. Please stay here. BJP is a huge party. We have the number one leader in the world, Prime Minister Modi.”
Dismissing concerns about Annamalai’s departure, he said, “There is no impact. BJP is a huge party. Many leaders have left the party and joined it again later.”
Annamalai had said that different views on Tamil Nadu were behind his decision to stay away from the party.
Nagendran also said that the BJP central leadership will not support or endorse any newly formed political movements or organizations.
