Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai on Tuesday submitted his resignation to BJP president Nitin Nabin amid growing speculation that he could be preparing to launch a new political outfit in the state.
Annamalai met Nabin in Delhi earlier in the day and is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah at 4 pm.
Speculation about the former IPS officer's future within the BJP has persisted since he was replaced as the party's Tamil Nadu unit chief by Nainar Nagendran. The leadership change was seen as part of the BJP's broader strategy ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The buzz intensified last week when several of Annamalai's supporters on social media began discussing a "new movement." Some posts even suggested that he could launch a new political outfit under the banner of "Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam."
Annamalai's recent opposition to the CBSE's notification on implementing the three-language policy for Class 9 students further fuelled speculation. His public demand for the withdrawal of the notification led to suggestions that he was distancing himself from the BJP's central leadership ahead of a possible political move.
The BJP leader has largely maintained a low profile since being replaced by Nagendran and after the party revived its alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the Assembly polls. Reports have suggested that Annamalai was unhappy with the decision to realign with the AIADMK.
Although he eventually backed the party's strategy and campaigned during the elections, reports of friction between him and sections of the central leadership have continued to surface.
The speculation gained further momentum following the BJP's disappointing electoral performance. According to reports, a section of Annamalai's supporters, particularly in Coimbatore, has been encouraging him to launch a separate political platform that could emerge as an alternative to Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Annamalai has so far not publicly commented on the reports regarding a possible new political outfit.
