Annamalai Confirms Stepping Down As BJP Chief: We Will Choose Next President Unanimously

K Annamalai has indicated on Friday that he is stepping down as the Tamil Nadu BJP President. However, he also stated that he is not in the race again and the party will unanimously pick the next chief of the state unit.

Annamalai Confirms

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Annamalai said, "There is no contest in Tamil Nadu BJP, we will select a leader unanimously. But I am not in the race. I am not in the BJP state leadership race."

AIADMK's Condition Forced Anna To Resign

The development comes a week after the AIADMK chief AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. It is reported that the two leaves party has shown interest to join the NDA ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly polls in 2026. Multiple reports indicate the AIADMK has expressed willingness to rejoin the NDA but with a key condition: the BJP must replace its state president, K. Annamalai.

The rift between the allies traces back to 2023, when Annamalai's controversial remarks about Dravidian icon C.N. Annadurai and former AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa triggered a bitter split. Since then, both parties have traded sharp criticisms, with the AIADMK particularly vocal about its displeasure with Annamalai's leadership.

BJP's Dilemma: Alliance or Annamalai?

Following EPS' Delhi visit, Annamalai held discussions with BJP central leaders. Reports suggest he was asked to either step down or soften his stance to facilitate an AIADMK reconciliation, but he decided to resign. While a report in The Indian Express claimed he was assured of his "long-term political relevance," the latest report in The New Indian Express stated he was permitted to continue - provided he cooperates with the AIADMK.

The BJP had backed Annamalai despite internal discontent over the AIADMK breakup before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, viewing the election as a chance to gauge its standalone strength in Tamil Nadu. While the party improved its vote share in some regions, the overall performance fell short of expectations. With 2026 looming, the BJP is unwilling to risk another solo fight and sees realignment with the AIADMK as crucial.

Political analysts say that the BJP, under Annamalai's leadership, started getting noticed in Tamil Nadu and, on many occasions, played the role of the main opposition party in the state.

Reports claim that Annamalai might be made a central minister.