TN BJP chief denies Annamalai’s resignation and new party move

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Thursday dismissed reports of K Annamalai’s resignation and rumours that he intends to launch a new political outfit. Nagenthran clarified that no resignation letter exists and that the former state president spoke to no one about starting a new party.

As the suspense over Annamalai’s reported resignation from the BJP to start his own outfit continued, Nagenthran clarified that media reports claiming he had quit the party lacked substance.

“As president of the BJP, I have not received any such letter so far. There is no difference of opinion between us. Annamalai has not spoken to anyone about starting a new party. We have not spoken to him about it, and he has not spoken to us,” Nagenthran told reporters here.

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Asked about the speculation regarding Annamalai’s resignation, Nagenthran replied, “I wish my dear brother (Annamalai) on his birthday today. Reports claiming he has resigned are false, lack substance, and are rumours.” Speculation intensified after Annamalai met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The BJP maintained that the meeting was routine, but refused to disclose specifics of the dialogue.

Annamalai, a former Indian Police Service officer, rose to prominence after joining the BJP, a move that significantly elevated his public profile before he became the state president. Nagenthran now manages the party's regional operations as the current chief, while the party maintains that the former president remains within the existing institutional hierarchy.

(With Agency inputs)