In a crucial meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin and organisation secretary BL Santhosh, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai expressed his wish to exit the party on cordial
terms, NDTV reported.
The meeting comes amid intensifying speculation over Annamalai’s reported plan to leave the party.
According to the report, Annamalai told the party leadership that he wants to “chart his own course now” and that he wishes to “part ways on cordial terms”.
However, the BJP leadership is still considering efforts to persuade him to stay, even as some sources suggest that the IPS officer-turned-politician may have already made up his mind, NDTV reported.
Also Read: Annamalai Meets Nitin Nabin, To Hold Talks With Amit Shah Amid BJP Exit Buzz
According to NDTV, the party also offered Annamalai a Rajya Sabha seat, which he reportedly declined. As per the report, the leader does not see his future in the BJP.
Annamalai To Form A New Political Party?
According to sources close to Annamalai, the former IPS officer believes that Tamil Nadu’s political landscape has undergone a significant shift following the rise of actor Vijay as a political force.
“There is no leader to fight Vijay today. The Dravidian era is over. Politics centred on language issues alone will no longer work. The politics of the state have changed,” a source aware of the discussions said.
Sources also said Annamalai is considering launching a people’s movement, with speculation continuing over whether it could later take the form of a political party.
Also Read: Exit Rumours, New Party Buzz And A Delhi Trip: How The Annamalai Story Unfolded
According to NDTV, the initiative is aimed at bringing together like-minded individuals and building a broad volunteer network. The proposed movement is expected to operate on a wider scale and draw participants from diverse professional and social backgrounds.
Annamalai already runs a non-profit leadership initiative called “We The Leaders”, which is likely to form the base for his expanded political project.
As per the report, the proposed political outfit could contest the upcoming Assembly by-elections in Tamil Nadu, offering an early test of his personal popularity and organisational strength.
Annamalai’s Journey In The BJP
The development comes nearly a month after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, in which the BJP secured just one seat in the 234-member House.
A year back, Annamalai was replaced as Tamil Nadu BJP chief as part of the party’s efforts to recalibrate its strategy ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Political observers had viewed the change as part of a broader attempt to strengthen regional alliances and reshape the BJP’s approach in a state dominated by Dravidian parties.
Also Read: IIM Grad, Tough Cop, Political Firebrand: How Annamalai Became BJP’s Face In Tamil Nadu
Annamalai, once seen as a key face of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, was tasked with expanding the party’s presence in a state where it has historically struggled electorally.
His aggressive political style had reportedly strained ties with the AIADMK, the BJP’s former ally in the state.
Relations between the two parties deteriorated after Annamalai’s repeated criticism of AIADMK leaders, including remarks on party icons such as J Jayalalithaa. The tensions eventually contributed to the breakdown of the BJP–AIADMK alliance in 2023.
