BJP national organisation general secretary B.L. Santosh has assured RSS leaders that the party will carry out changes in its Tamil Nadu unit after the forthcoming Assembly by-elections, according to sources.
A meeting of national functionaries from the RSS, BJP and other Sangh Parivar organisations was held at a private college near Periyapalayam on the outskirts of Chennai. Santosh attended on behalf of the BJP and held discussions with RSS national and state leaders on the political situation in Tamil Nadu.
During the talks, Santosh is said to have outlined the situation that emerged after the party’s defeat while contesting in alliance with the AIADMK, and the developments following Annamalai’s exit from the BJP. A party functionary said several BJP office-bearers had moved towards the organisation started by Annamalai, making internal restructuring necessary.
The functionary added that Santosh told RSS leaders that Annamalai’s projection of figures such as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Nallakannu indicated he would not be pursuing Hindutva politics, and that those who shifted away could return to the BJP.
With by-elections expected soon in six Assembly constituencies—possibly more—Santosh reportedly said the current uncertainty would become clearer after the polls. He also conveyed that once the bypolls conclude, organisational changes would be implemented and steps taken to prepare the party for the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
