Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, whose resignation has been accepted by the party leadership, said his political journey will now take a new direction. Speaking in a live social media address, he said he joined the BJP on August 25, 2020 and considered it a privilege to have worked for the people of Tamil Nadu for six years.
Annamalai said he had informed BJP leaders “politely” that he wanted to pursue a different path with larger goals, including bringing more people together and shaping a new kind of politics that could change basic political structures. He added that he travelled to Delhi to meet the leadership, describing it as part of “Tamil cultural conduct”.
He also recalled that actor Rajinikanth had called him a day before he joined the BJP and invited him to join his proposed political movement. Annamalai said he declined, citing the COVID-19 period and a promise he had already made to BJP leader B.L. Santhosh, and said he mentioned this only to put speculation to rest.
Stating that he had not compromised on Tamil Nadu’s interests, Annamalai said he consistently opposed projects he viewed as against the state and had urged the BJP to contest elections on its own. He said he holds Prime Minister Narendra Modi in high regard and did not want to become a “problem” for him, adding that differences with the party leadership had persisted for about 18 months.
Announcing his next steps, Annamalai said he intends to begin a “new path” and a “new movement” with a fresh outlook. He said his party will contest the next general election in Tamil Nadu and spoke of breaking the idea of “permanent MLA” and “permanent minister”. He also said a ‘Centre for Ethics and Politics’ will be set up in Coimbatore to provide political training.
