Chennai: With the window for filing nomination papers opening on March 30, the AIADMK-led alliance has finalized seat-sharing arrangements, allotting 27 constituencies to the BJP. However, several key constituencies where prominent BJP leaders contested in 2021 have not been allocated to the party this time, raising questions about where these leaders will now enter the fray.
Tamil Nadu BJP’ key leaders shift constituencies
The constituencies of Tirunelveli, represented by Nainar Nagendran in the 2021 Assembly elections, and Coimbatore West, represented by Vanathi Srinivasan, have not been allotted to the BJP this time. Both leaders had won their seats in the previous election. Additionally, the Aravakurichi constituency, where former State President Annamalai contested in 2021, and the Dharapuram constituency, where Union Minister L. Murugan contested, have also not been allocated to the BJP in this round. Consequently, it is now certain that these leaders will be contesting from new constituencies.
The Annamalai conundrum
In the 2021 Assembly elections, Annamalai contested from the Aravakurichi constituency on behalf of the BJP. Although he was widely expected to secure a victory, he finished in second place, securing over 68,000 votes. Since Aravakurichi falls within his home district of Karur, it was anticipated that he would once again enter the fray from the same constituency this time. However, in the recently finalized alliance seat-sharing agreement, the Aravakurichi constituency was not allotted to the BJP. Moreover, out of the four Assembly constituencies located within Karur district, not a single one has been allocated to the BJP. As a result, even if Annamalai is announced as a candidate, he would be unable to contest from his home district.
Annamalai to contest from Singanallur or a wider campaign role?
According to reports from party sources, Annamalai may be fielded as a candidate in the Singanallur constituency within Coimbatore district. Given the BJP’s strong vote bank in the Kongu region, party cadres express confidence that—combined with AIADMK votes—he would be assured of victory this time around.
However, there are also allegations that Annamalai is feeling dissatisfied, having already been removed from the post of State President and now denied the opportunity to contest from his home district. Some critics have alleged that this situation is the result of “internal sabotage” orchestrated by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami and BJP State President Nainar Nagendran. Consequently, some reports suggest that Annamalai is considering opting out of contesting this election entirely, instead limiting his role to campaigning across the state in support of other BJP candidates.
With nomination filing just days away, speculation continues to mount over where—or whether—the former state president will make his electoral debut in the 2026 Assembly polls.