Madurai: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has resigned from the party, stating that he plans to launch a new political outfit. Following his exit, a section of his supporters has also started sending resignation letters to the party’s national leadership.
According to the report, Annamalai had been dissatisfied for about a year, participating only intermittently in party programmes and feeling he was not given due importance. His supporters, it said, also showed reduced involvement in party activities during this period.
The development comes in the backdrop of the BJP and its ally AIADMK suffering a major setback in the recent Assembly election, which the party leadership reportedly viewed as a shock. The report also notes the BJP’s assessment that if actor Vijay’s TVK continues to grow in Tamil Nadu, it could make it harder for the BJP to establish itself.
Annamalai has indicated that his new party will align with public expectations and focus on attracting young people. After his resignation, several functionaries across districts have reportedly quit, including BJP IT wing state secretary Vishnuprasad, Chennai functionary Vinoth, and Ramanathapuram functionary Senthil Kumar.
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said anyone has the right to start a party and asserted that Annamalai’s exit would not affect the BJP. The report also said Annamalai is expected to meet actor Rajinikanth soon and then travel to the Himalayas for a 10-day pilgrimage.
