Speculation is rife over the possible removal of Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai as the party seeks to revive its alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Annamalai, however, has stated that he is not in the running to be the next state president of the BJP.
AIADMK’s Condition for Alliance Revival
Sources within the BJP indicate that AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has made Annamalai’s removal a precondition for rekindling ties with the BJP. The AIADMK had severed its alliance with the BJP in 2023, reportedly due to Annamalai’s criticism of AIADMK leaders and his efforts to project the BJP as the primary opposition party in Tamil Nadu.
When asked about his position in Coimbatore on Saturday, Annamalai said, “I am not in the race to become the next president of the Tamil Nadu BJP.”
BJP’s Struggle in Tamil Nadu
Since his appointment as the Tamil Nadu BJP chief in 2021, Annamalai has helped increase the party’s visibility in the state, despite not making significant electoral gains. The 40-year-old former IPS officer, engineer, and MBA graduate is known for his outspoken criticism of the ruling DMK.
His aggressive political stance gained national attention in December 2023 when he flogged himself six times as part of a protest against the DMK after a student of Chennai’s Anna University was raped. “Anybody who understands Tamil culture will understand this. Flogging ourselves, punishing ourselves, it is part of this culture… This protest is not against a specific person or thing, it is against a continuous injustice that is happening in the state,” he had said at the time.
Punishment or Promotion?
BJP sources suggest that Annamalai’s removal would not be presented as a demotion but rather as part of a strategy to expand the party’s footprint in Tamil Nadu. There is speculation that he could be given a bigger role at the national level, similar to his predecessor, L Murugan, who was made a Union minister after being replaced as the state BJP chief.
Caste Dynamics at Play?
Annamalai’s Gounder community background may also be playing a role in the BJP’s decision-making. EPS, who also belongs to the Gounder community, reportedly sees Annamalai as a direct challenger to his leadership. The BJP could be looking to replace him with a leader from a different caste background to balance equations and maximize its chances in the upcoming elections.
Upcoming Political Developments
EPS is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 6 during the inauguration of the Pamban railway bridge. It is speculated that alliance discussions will take place during the visit, and a new Tamil Nadu BJP chief may be announced soon after.
As political maneuvering intensifies, Annamalai’s future within the BJP—whether as a state leader or in a national role—remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: his tenure as Tamil Nadu BJP chief has left a mark on the state’s political landscape.
Sources By Agencies
