I Rejected Rajinikanth's Offer To Join His Party As I Was Committed To BJP: Annamalai

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has made a startling revelation about his political journey, disclosing that superstar Rajinikanth had personally invited him to join his proposed political party in 2020.

Speaking at the launch of his new political movement, Annamalai said he had held several discussions with Rajinikanth about politics and governance during the period when the actor was seriously considering entering public life.

According to Annamalai, Rajinikanth reached out to him personally and expressed his desire to have the former IPS officer as part of his political venture. However, Annamalai chose to decline the offer because he had already committed himself to joining the BJP.

"When I decided to enter politics, Rajini sir invited me to join his party. But I had already given my word to BJP leaders. I did not want to break that promise, so I joined the BJP," Annamalai said.

The former BJP leader recalled that he later met Rajinikanth and apologised for turning down the invitation. He stressed that he continues to hold immense respect for the superstar.

Annamalai also reflected on what might have been had Rajinikanth entered politics. "I have discussed politics extensively with him. It would have been good for Tamil Nadu if he had entered politics," he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged the circumstances that forced Rajinikanth to abandon his political plans. The actor had cited health concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic before announcing that he would not launch a political party.

"Considering the health issues he was facing during the pandemic, taking care of his health was the right decision for him," Annamalai remarked.

The revelation came on a day when Annamalai himself embarked on a new political path after formally severing ties with the BJP, ending a six-year association with the party.

Declaring that he had left the BJP in a "dignified manner", Annamalai announced the formation of a new political movement that he said would bring a fresh approach to Tamil Nadu politics.

"From today onwards, a new path, a new movement and a new political journey begins. Our movement will be built on a new perspective and a new political culture," he said.

The former state BJP chief revealed that his departure was not sudden. He claimed to have had differences with the party's central leadership over the past 18 months, particularly on issues related to alliance politics and the autonomy of the Tamil Nadu unit. According to him, he had informed the BJP leadership of his intention to resign in December 2025 but stayed on at the party's request to campaign during the 2026 Assembly elections.

Annamalai said one of the biggest dilemmas he faced during his tenure was balancing his identity as a BJP leader and a Tamilian.

"It was often a conflict between being a BJP member and being a Tamilian. I always wanted the party to align more closely with Tamil Nadu's identity and aspirations," he said.

His newly launched movement will initially focus on the upcoming general elections before evolving into a full-fledged political party. Annamalai has set his sights on contesting all constituencies in the 2031 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Insisting that his movement would not indulge in opposition politics merely for publicity, Annamalai called for a complete transformation of the state's political culture.

"Our goals are bigger. We need to take more people along with us. We will change ourselves, and we will bring change," he declared.