New Delhi, April 1-: BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai may be asked to step down, with the party considering a leadership change to smoothen ties with AIADMK ahead of the 2026 assembly election, political sources indicated.
Reports suggest Union Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed this decision to Annamalai last week, following discussions with AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on reviving their alliance.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer, played a key role in the BJP-AIADMK fallout in 2023 due to his direct attacks on AIADMK leaders, including late icons J Jayalalithaa and CN Annadurai. His strained ties with EPS, despite both belonging to the influential Gounder community, were seen as a hurdle in the alliance. A senior BJP leader described the potential leadership change as “optimisation of resources” rather than a demotion.
Since taking over as state BJP president in 2021, Annamalai has positioned himself as a challenger to Tamil Nadu’s dominant Dravidian parties. His aggressive stance, including a self-flogging protest against the DMK government in December, has made him a polarizing figure. His leadership saw BJP’s vote share increase in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, but party strategists believe an AIADMK alliance could have further boosted their prospects.
The AIADMK’s departure from NDA was a setback for BJP’s expansion plans in Tamil Nadu. With the 2026 assembly polls in sight, BJP’s top brass sees AIADMK as a crucial ally against the ruling DMK. The recent Shah-EPS meeting has fueled speculation of a reunion, with sources indicating BJP’s willingness to adjust its Tamil Nadu leadership to facilitate the alliance. Whether Annamalai will step down remains uncertain, but the political equation is shifting.
