Speculation is mounting that former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai may be planning to leave the party and launch a new movement, possibly named ‘Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam’, following his recent public stances on issues like the CBSE's three-language policy and past tensions that contributed to the breakdown of the BJP-AIADMK alliance, leading to his replacement as state president.

Speculation is mounting that former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai may be planning to leave the party and launch a new movement, possibly named ‘Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam’, following his recent public stances on issues like the CBSE's three-language policy and past tensions that contributed to the breakdown of the BJP-AIADMK alliance, leading to his replacement as state president.

Speculation is mounting that former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai may be planning to leave the party and launch a new movement, possibly named ‘Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam’, following his recent public stances on issues like the CBSE's three-language policy and past tensions that contributed to the breakdown of the BJP-AIADMK alliance, leading to his replacement as state president.

Is former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai planning to quit the party? Speculation about his possible exit from the saffron camp has gained momentum recently after his supporters on social media began discussing a “new movement”.

Some posts online have suggested that Annamalai could float a new outfit named ‘Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam’.

The buzz over the former IPS officer’s possible resignation from the BJP has also been fuelled by his recent positions on several issues, including the CBSE’s decision to implement a three-language policy for Class 9 students.

Annamalai, who led the Tamil Nadu BJP from 2021 to 2025, is known for his aggressive political style and strong criticism of Dravidian parties in the state. However, his sharp remarks against icons of Tamil Nadu politics such as C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa contributed to a breakdown in the BJP-AIADMK alliance.

When the BJP later moved to revive ties with the AIADMK, one of the regional party’s key demands was a change in leadership of the state unit. As a result, Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendran as Tamil Nadu BJP president.

Reports suggest that Annamalai was unhappy with the party’s decision to realign with the AIADMK. Although he eventually fell in line and campaigned for the party in the recent elections, indications of friction with the central leadership have persisted.

Last week, Annamalai urged the Union Education Ministry to withdraw its notification making three languages compulsory for Class 9 students, and instead stick to its earlier commitment to introduce three languages—of which two would be Indian languages—from the 2029–30 academic year.

The CBSE’s decision has triggered a political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with several non-BJP parties strongly opposing the move.

“Expecting a Class IX student to learn a new language at such short notice will only pressure children and affect their overall learning outcomes,” Annamalai said in a post on X.

A report by The New Indian Express also cited political observers who pointed to Annamalai’s recent social media activity as a sign of growing internal tensions within the party. Notably, they observed that he did not post about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Sunday.

When C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Munnetra Kazhagam (TVK) secured 208 seats in the assembly elections—just 10 short of a majority—Annamalai was quick to extend his congratulations to the actor-politician, noting the strong mandate from the people of Tamil Nadu.

“I bow down to the people of Tamil Nadu for your verdict. It is heartening to see, in my land, people have risen in one voice and spoken no to the buying of votes and no to dynastic politics,” he wrote in a post on X.