K Annamalai quits BJP after Tamil Nadu elections, to launch own party

TAmil Nadu leader K Annamalai proclaimed his plans to set in motion his possess political company on fri, hours after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin accepted his resignation following days of suspense.It is believed that Annamalai was upset over being replaced as the party's Tamil Nadu unit chief after 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He is expected to address a presser at 12 noon today to have a “heart-to-heart conversation”.In a video message after the acceptance of his resignation, Annamalai said his political movement “will definitely contest in next assembly polls”.Annamalai said the decision to quit BJP was not taken in a haste and that he has discussing with the party leadership about his resignation, which he told the leaders about in December.“They told me to leave after the elections get over in Tamil Nadu. I stayed there till May as per their suggestion,” Annamalai said.Appealing to those who are interested to join him, he said, "Come let's bring together a big change in politics 'Kuppusamy Annamalai, also known as ‘Singham’, is a former IPS officer who shot to fame in Tamil Nadu after joining the BJP and being made to lead the party's unit in the southern state. However, for days, strong speculation emerged on his possible resignation, and future course of action.He stepped away from the party a month after the results of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu were announced. While C Joseph Vijay-led TVK became the single largest party in the state in its debut contest, the BJP delivered a poor show, winning just one seat (down from the previous four), with a vote share of 2.97% (marginally up from the previous 2.67%).Annamalai to float new party?Buzz around Annamalai's exit from the BJP first surfaced after he failed to make it to the BJP's candidates' list for Tamil Nadu elections. After the party's poll debacle, Annamalai left for Delhi to meet the top brass, further fuelling this speculation.Rumours also said the former IPS officer is planning to launch a new outfit. However, when asked about the same this week, his reply was: “Please wait. We will sit down and talk in two days”.His political journey began in 2021, when the BJP fielded him in the Tamil Nadu elections. Despite losing the contest, he was made Tamil Nadu BJP President, a post he held for three years, before stepping down in 2024 after the Lok Sabha polls.While the BJP raised its vote share in Tamil Nadu in the general elections, it failed to win any seat. Thereafter, Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendran.‘Could’ve contested from anywhere'Most reports linked Annamalai's exit from the BJP to the party's denial to field him in the 2026 elections. However, after the list was released, Annamalai claimed it was his decision to not enter the poll fray.“If I had decided to contest, it wouldn't have mattered which constituency I could have contested from anywhere," Annamalai had said.He said he had informed the party leadership in writing of his decision to stay out of the electoral fray, and expressed gratitude to the BJP for respecting this choice.