'Wish party good future': Annamalai bows out of Tamil Nadu BJP chief race

K Annamalai on Friday ruled himself out of the BJP's Tamil Nadu presidency race. This could be because the party reportedly plans a leadership change, amid reunion talks with the AIADMK and broader caste-based political strategy.

In Short

• Annamalai says he is not in race for state president
• Leadership change may widen BJP’s caste appeal
• BJP eyes tie-up with AIADMK ahead of 2026 state polls

“In BJP, leaders don't compete for a party leader post. We all jointly elect a party president. I'm not in that race for that post,” K Annamalai said on Friday, firmly ruling himself out of running for party’s Tamil Nadu state presidency.

Speaking to the media in Coimbatore, Annamalai said: “I want the party to have a bright future. Many have given their lives for the growth of this party. I always wish the best for this party.”

He firmly distanced himself from the process and said: “I am not in the race for the next state president. I’m not going to respond to any political speculation. I’m not in any race.”

He also reasserted that the BJP was “unlike other parties where 50 leaders file nominations for party president post.”

Senior journalist TS Sudhir, in his piece, had noted that Annamalai’s exit as the BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief was imminent. According to Sudhir, Annamalai’s departure would be framed as a move driven by caste equations, but it actually signalled his growing significance within the party.

Annamalai, who had been extremely vocal about the BJP’s alliance with the AIADMK, recently softened his stance on the regional party. However, he had remained tight-lipped about the details about the same. "Our Home Minister has spoken. Please take his reaction as the final word on the matter,” he had said at the time.

The change in his viewpoint came after a meeting between AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

K Annamalai’s sharp criticism in 2023 of AIADMK leaders J Jayalalithaa and CN Annadurai, along with his strong opposition to any alliance with Dravidian parties, caused a major rift between the BJP and the AIADMK. As a result, both parties contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections separately—and suffered a crushing defeat.

Though the BJP failed to win a single seat in Tamil Nadu, the party saw a noticeable rise in vote share under Annamalai’s leadership. A former IPS officer, Annamalai also ensured the BJP remained visible in the state by consistently raising issue after issue, keeping the party in the spotlight.

According to Sudhir, one key reason for Annamalai’s possible exit as state chief is the BJP’s strategy to broaden its appeal. Both Annamalai and AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami belong to the Gounder community from western Tamil Nadu. Replacing Annamalai with someone from another caste or region could help the BJP reach a wider voter base, mused Sudhir.