Annamalai likely to get national role in BJP, signals Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hinted at a national-level role for outgoing Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, following his withdrawal from the race for the party's state unit president.

In Short

• K Annamalai steps down as Tamil Nadu BJP chief
• Amit Shah hints at national role for ex-IPS officer
• BJP, AIADMK revive alliance ahead of 2026 elections

K Annamalai, who stepped down from the post of Tamil Nadu BJP chief, will be utilised in the national framework of the BJP, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday, following the nomination of Nainar Nagendran as the new party unit chief.

Annamalai, the 40-year-old IPS officer-turned-politician, has stepped aside from the race for the party chief's post, paving the way for a leadership change in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 elections.

"As the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP unit, Shri K Annamalai Ji has made commendable accomplishments. Whether it is carrying the policies of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji to people or the programs of the party from village to village, Annamalai Ji's contribution has been unprecedented. The BJP will leverage Annamalai Ji's organisational skills in the party's national framework," Shah tweeted.

Annamalai was appointed as the BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief in June 2021, shortly after the Assembly elections in which the party contested as part of the AIADMK-led NDA. The alliance split in September 2023, with AIADMK leaders holding Annamalai responsible. The BJP contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections alone and failed to win any seats. Annamalai himself lost to the DMK candidate in the Coimbatore constituency.

Last week, Annamalai announced that he was stepping aside from the race for the state party president’s post, stating that he wanted the "party to have a bright future" and wished it well.

“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. 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 had said.

On Friday, senior leader and MLA Nainar Nagendran filed his nomination papers for the BJP’s Tamil Nadu state president election.

The BJP and AIADMK have also formalised their poll alliance, with Amit Shah announcing that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election will be contested under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, as the two parties revive their partnership nearly two years after parting ways.