Former Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party Chief K Annamalai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday at his residence. The 30-minute high-level meeting occurred at a time when speculations arose that the leader had exited the saffron party and will launch his own party in Tamil Nadu.
The former IPS officer is now planning to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Media reports also reveal that Annamalai had earlier met BJP leader Nitin Nabon and party national general secretary BL Santhosh to submit his resignation. The situation has worsened since the BJP replaced Annamalai with Nainar Nagenthran as state chief. The matter escalated further after the revival of the BJP-AIADMK alliance for the 2026 Assembly election. Annamalai, previously, had opposed the alliance.
What Happened At The Meeting?
Amit Shah and Annamalai discussed the political situation in Tamil Nadu following Vijay’s historic victory and the future of politics. During the discussion, Annamalai mentioned his intention to break away from the party and launch a major public relations campaign from Coimbatore. According to sources, Amit Shah remarked that this public relations campaign could also be conducted under the BJP banner and would be more effective. However, Annamalai, citing the internal alliances of state BJP leaders with the AIADMK and DMK, said they would not allow this to succeed.
BJP also denied the media reports of a five-page resignation letter submitted by Annamalai to Nitin Nabin. It is speculated that Annamalai did verbally discuss his resignation during meetings with both Nitin Naveen and BL Santosh, but both leaders urged him to take a decision only after meeting Amit Shah.
According to reports, former IPS officer Annamalai is planning to launch a new regional political party, which his associates are describing as ‘secular’ and ‘Tamil-first’-oriented.