TN polls: Why has BJP not given ticket to Annamalai?

There is disappointment among BJP workers and supporters in Tamil Nadu as former state president and prominent leader K Annamalai has been left out of the party’s list of 27 candidates for the Assembly elections on April 23. Instead, the high command has assigned him a high-profile campaigning role across Puducherry, Kerala, and the entire state of Tamil Nadu for the NDA alliance.

The BJP, as part of the AIADMK-led NDA, released its candidate list today (April 3). It includes senior leaders such as Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore (North), and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L Murugan from Avanashi (SC).

Also read: BJP Tamil Nadu candidate list out; no ticket for Annamalai

State BJP president Nainar Nagendran told reporters that the omission of Annamalai’s name was “a decision by the High Command”.

What Annamalai said

Annamalai himself addressed the issue while campaigning in Kannur, Kerala. “In this election, my role is to campaign for candidates across Tamil Nadu. Right now, the party has given me the responsibility to campaign in Puducherry and Kerala till (April) 7th. From the 7th to the 23rd, I have to campaign for all BJP and NDA candidates across Tamil Nadu. That is the responsibility the party has given me. I’ll be fulfilling that,” he said.

Dr. Soundararajan, reacting to her own nomination from Mylapore, assured supporters: “Definitely, Annamalai will be given appropriate responsibility.”

‘Dedicated soldier of state’

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who chaired the core committee meeting that finalised the list, offered the clearest explanation. Addressing reporters today, Goyal described Annamalai as “a dedicated soldier of the state” who has “a desire to work across the state rather than being restricted to one constituency”.

Also read: Congress fields 11 sitting MLAs for Tamil Nadu elections

The decision comes after weeks of internal churn. Earlier reports suggested Annamalai was upset with the seat-sharing formula that gave the BJP only 27 “difficult” or non-winnable constituencies in the western Kongu belt. He had lobbied for stronger seats such as Singanallur or Sulur in Coimbatore but was reportedly offered Coimbatore North a seat already held by Vanathi Srinivasan. Feeling sidelined, he publicly conveyed no interest in contesting and skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Coimbatore on March 29. His supporters staged protests, even surrounding Union Minister Murugan in Palani.

Emergency call to Annamalai

On April 1, an emergency call from Goyal pulled Annamalai back from campaigning in Puducherry. He returned to Chennai by helicopter to attend a crucial BJP core committee meeting at Kamalalayam. High command circles viewed him as a “vote magnet” capable of pulling an additional 2-3 per cent votes from youth, urban voters, fence-sitters, and disgruntled AIADMK cadres. Speculation was rife that he might be fielded from the winnable Modakurichi seat in Erode district. However, the final list released today did not include him; Modakurichi went to Kirthika Shivkumar.

Party insiders point to a strategic calculation. Annamalai’s aggressive style, mass appeal among the young and non-traditional voters, and ability to draw crowds make him more valuable as a statewide star campaigner than as a candidate in one tough seat. The alliance compulsions with AIADMK under Edappadi Palaniswami also played a role the NDA aims to unseat the DMK government in a direct contest. The new player, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, adds another layer of complexity.

Annamalai’s removal as state president earlier had already distanced him from day-to-day organisational control, and he had stepped down from the election management role. Yet the high command clearly sees him as a key asset for the larger battle. His multi-state campaigning assignment covering Puducherry, Kerala, and then all of Tamil Nadu signals grooming for bigger national responsibilities, a view echoed by many supporters who call him a “leader of national calibre".

Backlash on social media

The omission has sparked backlash on social media, with some Annamalai loyalists threatening to press the NOTA button or questioning the wisdom of sidelining a popular face. Others, however, see it as a pragmatic move: “Win first, then talk about positions,” one commentator noted.

Also read: TVK chief Vijay under lens again after conflicting poll affidavits

Senior journalist Tharasu Shyam stated that Annamalai himself did not show any interest in contesting the elections. It appears that he clearly conveyed to the party high command that he does not want a seat. He further questioned that if Annamalai positions himself as the next Chief Ministerial candidate of Tamil Nadu, then he should be willing to contest from at least one constituency in the state.

Senior journalist Priyan said that since Annamalai has a strong base of loyal supporters, his decision not to contest the election is undoubtedly a setback for the NDA alliance. He added that even if the decision was taken by Annamalai himself, it is not a good move for his political future.

What is Annamalai’s grievance?

Senior journalist Thuglak Ramesh remarked that the candidate list released on Friday will cause severe disappointment among those who voted for the BJP in the previous elections, primarily because of Annamalai.

Political analyst Sumant C Raman observed that if Annamalai openly and clearly communicates his exact problem or grievance, the party leadership will definitely address it. He noted that the BJP had earlier appointed Annamalai as the in-charge of a particular constituency, but he resigned from the post, citing his father’s ill health. Raman added that Annamalai could have contested from any of the seats allotted to the BJP, but it is unclear what his real issue is.

As nominations begin and the campaign intensifies, the BJP’s 27 candidates will fight in what many describe as an uphill battle in Tamil Nadu. Whether Annamalai’s energy on the ground can compensate for his absence from the ballot will be one of the key stories to watch until polling day on April 23 and results on May 4.