BJP Accepts Annamalai’s Resignation, Ex-IPS Officer Likely to Launch New Party

NEW DELHI, June 5: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party following reported differences with the party’s central leadership over its alliance strategy in the state.

The BJP announced that its national president had accepted Annamalai’s resignation from the party’s primary membership. The development came hours before the former IPS officer was scheduled to address a press conference.

Sources indicated that Annamalai is expected to launch a new regional “people’s movement” aimed at attracting young professionals and voters seeking an alternative political platform.

Ahead of his resignation, Annamalai travelled to Delhi and met senior party leaders, including BJP president Nitin Nabin. He reportedly expressed his desire to end his association with the party on cordial terms. Discussions also took place with senior BJP leaders Amit Shah and B.L. Santhosh.

In an effort to resolve the differences, the BJP leadership held further consultations, with Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran also being called to Delhi for another round of talks.

Annamalai joined the BJP in 2020 after resigning from the Indian Police Service. Popularly known as “Singham” among his supporters, he was appointed president of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit in 2021, succeeding L. Murugan, who later became a Union minister.

During his tenure, Annamalai emerged as one of the BJP’s prominent faces in Tamil Nadu. Under his leadership, the party ended its alliance with the AIADMK before later renewing ties with the regional party ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

His resignation comes amid reports of internal differences within the state unit following his replacement as Tamil Nadu BJP president and the party’s decision to revive its electoral alliance with the AIADMK. (Agencies)