Annamalai Missing from BJP’s List for Candidates For Tamil Nadu Polls - See 27 Names

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political corridors of Tamil Nadu, the BJP released its first list of 27 candidates on Friday, notably omitting the name of former state president K Annamalai. The absence of the party's most vocal and high-profile leader has ignited intense speculation that "all is not well" within the state unit.

For months, political circles were abuzz with reports that Annamalai would lead the charge from the front, with Coimbatore North or Modakurichi touted as his most likely battlegrounds. However, with those seats now allocated to other candidates, Vanathi Srinivasan and Kirthika Shivkumar, respectively, it is confirmed that the former IPS officer will not be contesting in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.

However, Annamalai has congratulated all the candidates of the BJP, saying, "They carry the support of every brother & sister of TN who is tired of corruption, complacency, and the DMK's betrayal."

He also assured that he will campaign for all the candidates. In a post on X, he wrote, "I as a Karyakarta will stand shoulder to shoulder & campaign for all our winning BJP & other NDA candidates, with the aim of the NDA winning 210 seats in the upcoming assembly elections."

Heavyweights Fielded, Leadership Sidelines Firebrand

While Annamalai remains off the ballot, the party has opted for a mix of seasoned veterans and central heavyweights. Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan returns to the electoral fray from the prestigious Mylapore seat, while Union Minister L. Murugan has been fielded from Avanashi (SC).

Also, Annamalai's close sides such as Suryah SG, State President of the Youth Wing in Tamil Nadu BJP and Vinoj P Selvam have failed to get tickets.

The exclusion of Annamalai is particularly striking given his "En Mann En Makkal" padayatra, which was widely seen as the foundation for the BJP's 2026 campaign. It has to be noted that the saffron party has virtually gone solo in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under his leadership and secured a little over 11% although the party failed to win any seat.

As per the reports in the Tamil media, extreme displeasure over seat-sharing arrangements with the AIADMK-led alliance and internal friction regarding candidate selection may have led to his withdrawal from the race.

The polling for the 234 seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 with the counting on May 4.