Inspired by TVK's victory? Annamalai unyielding despite offers, RSS intervening in matter

NEW DELHI: Former Bharatiya Janata Party Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai has fueled speculation that he will form his own party. Annamalai met party's national president Nitin Nabin in Delhi and submitted his resignation. Annamalai believes that Vijay's TVK coming to power has changed the political landscape in Tamil Nadu and that there is potential for a new party.

It is learnt that he described in his five-page resignation letter that the central leadership's actions, which removed him from the post of president and continued the alliance with parties including AIADMK, had backfired. After submitting his resignation letter, Annamalai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Organisation General Secretary B.L. Santosh.

Meanwhile, the BJP is continuing its efforts to retain Annamalai by promising him a Rajya Sabha seat. Annamalai has been asked to remain in Delhi. The RSS leadership is also intervening in the matter. Annamalai, a Karnataka cadre IPS officer, joined the BJP after voluntarily retiring from service in 2019.

He was the Tamil Nadu president from July 2021 to April 2025. Following disputes with ally AIADMK, Annamalai was removed from the post of president, and Nainar Nagendran replaced him.

• Reports say that Annamalai is establishing a party that aims to protect Tamil interests and uphold secular positions

• Since the people have accepted TVK, it is moving to become an alternative to the BJP and Dravidian parties.

• His recent criticism of the central government's decision to implement the three-language formula for CBSE class 9 students is being seen as part of a move to find his own way.