Rumors that K. Annamalai might not remain Tamil Nadu BJP president have been swirling for a while now, and with each passing day, unfolding events lend growing credibility to these whispers — though not without lingering uncertainties. The narrative remains riddled with ifs and buts, keeping observers guessing.
On Friday, Annamalai addressed the speculation at a press meet in Coimbatore, declaring - for the first time - "I am not in the race" for the state leadership role." He quickly clarified the BJP’s process: "There is no contest. It’s not like many people will compete for and one will be elected. We will unanimously select a leader. So, where’s the question of a contest then? That’s why I said I’m not in the race." His words, while definitive, left one puzzled.
The timing of his statement followed a significant meeting in Delhi between AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accompanied by senior AIADMK figures. This encounter sparked conjecture about a potential BJP-AIADMK alliance ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls - an alliance that collapsed in 2023, just ahead of lok sabha polls, largely due to Annamalai’s pointed criticism of AIADMK leaders, including the revered J. Jayalalithaa, known for her dynamic and charismatic leadership.
Yet, it’s implausible that the BJP’s top brass is blind to Annamalai’s hard work and charisma. His contributions are undeniable, suggesting his exit might reflect strategic priorities rather than a lack of appreciation. Political observers see this as a calculated move to smooth negotiations with AIADMK. Others point to caste dynamics: both Annamalai and EPS hail from the Gounder community, dominant in western Tamil Nadu. The BJP might opt for a leader from the Thevar community, influential in the south, or another key group to balance caste equations.
Senior political analyst T.S. Sudhir notes that the BJP’s keenness for an AIADMK alliance makes it tough for Annamalai to stay, given his strained ties with EPS and other AIADMK leaders over the past two or three years. He was a key reason alliance talks for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls failed, resisting partnership despite the central leadership’s enthusiasm. So, this seems like a deliberate strategy to ease him out for someone more acceptable to AIADMK. While it might look like a snub, yielding to AIADMK pressure, it could benefit both the BJP and Annamalai in the long run. Winning Tamil Nadu is a protracted battle for the BJP, he says.
Indeed, since Annamalai took the reins in July 2021, the BJP’s vote share in Tamil Nadu - a state long dominated by Dravidian giants - has climbed from abysmally low single digit to over 11 per cent. His aggressive, independent approach fueled this growth, sowing saffron seeds across a historically resistant landscape, as R. Srinivasan, an engineer and political observer, puts it.
Yet, this didn’t yield significant electoral wins, like his 2024 Coimbatore loss. Srinivasan adds, "Removing him for the AIADMK alliance might not go well with many like me. Look at Telangana - when firebrand Bandi Sanjay was replaced before the assembly polls, the BJP’s momentum faltered. Even elevating him to National General Secretary later didn’t fully appease the cadre. I fear a repeat here," he said.
Rathinapandian Nadar, a grocer from Villivakkam, a neighbourhood in north of Chennai where he runs a small shop, echoes the same sentiment. "Thanks to Annamalai, even in far-flung southern villages like my native Tirunelveli, people now talk about the BJP. You see Modi-Annamalai posters everywhere. I’m no BJP supporter, but his fierce rebuttals of DMK’s claims, his blunt take on their dynastic politics - he certainly deserves praise for that," he says.
Annamalai is no mere figurehead. To many like Rathinapandian, he’s the face of BJP in Tamil Nadu, blending grit, intellect, and unapologetic zeal. His padayatras, sharp critiques, and tireless efforts shook up state politics. Whether the party sidelines him remains unclear, but he’s likely to stay a linchpin in its long-term Tamil Nadu strategy. The BJP can’t afford to stall its Tamil Nadu chapter. Within a week or ten days - perhaps by April 10 - Amit Shah’s political engineering may reveal the next move. Names doing rounds are Nainar Nagendran, Tamilisai Soundararajan and Karuppu Muruganandam. If Annamalai is replaced, the new state president - no matter who - will face the daunting task of filling his sizable shoes.