Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Jun 1: Speculation is mounting in political circles that former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai may launch a new political party, although senior BJP leaders have dismissed such reports.
Rumours about Annamalai's political future, which had surfaced periodically before the elections, have gained fresh momentum on social media following the formation of the new government. Several of his supporters on social media platform X have floated possible party names and flag designs, with some even claiming that an announcement could be made as early as June.
The speculation has been fuelled by some of Annamalai's recent public positions. He recently criticised the implementation of the three-language policy by the Central Board of Secondary Education for Class 9 students from the current academic year. Observers have also pointed to his recent social media activity, noting that he did not post about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday.
Annamalai was reportedly unhappy with the BJP's decision to revive its alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. However, he subsequently backed the party's decision and campaigned extensively for the NDA alliance.
A former IPS officer, Annamalai became one of the youngest leaders to head the Tamil Nadu BJP when he was appointed state president in July 2021 at the age of 37. He remained in the position until 2025, when the BJP renewed its alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the Assembly polls.
His departure from the state president's post came amid perceptions that he had been among the BJP's strongest critics of the AIADMK leadership following the collapse of the alliance in September 2023.
However, a senior BJP leader has sought to put an end to the speculation, stating that the party has no information suggesting that Annamalai plans to quit the BJP or launch a separate political outfit.
Party sources have indicated that Annamalai is likely to be assigned a national-level role in the near future, reinforcing the BJP's position that he remains an important leader within the organisation.