Annamalai Resigns as BJP State President in Chennai Citing Vote Share Plunge

Former Tamil Nadu BJP state president K. Annamalai submitted his resignation on Tuesday in Chennai, citing a sharp decline in the party's electoral performance and its alliance with the AIADMK.

Annamalai presented his resignation to BJP national president Nitin Nabin. Along with his resignation, the former IPS officer submitted a report detailing the factors behind the party's recent assembly election rout.

In the report, Annamalai pointed out that the BJP's vote share plummeted from 11% during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to just 3% in the recent assembly polls. He attributed this drop to poor strategic decisions, specifically highlighting the party's alliance with the AIADMK. The report also noted that the BJP's representation in the state assembly has dwindled from four seats in 2021 to only one.

Additionally, Annamalai expressed that he had been "sidelined" within the party, though he thanked the central leadership for allowing him to serve as state president for nearly four years.

Following his resignation, Annamalai traveled to Delhi to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss his decision. The BJP high command subsequently summoned state president Nainar Nagenthran, who flew to Delhi from Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening.

National BJP sources indicated they were hopeful Annamalai would reconsider his decision after the meetings in the capital, with one leader stating, "He is not quitting." However, sources close to Annamalai maintained that his decision to leave is final.

Associates of the former state president revealed that he had planned to exit the party months ago to launch a new regional political outfit. A Tamil Nadu BJP functionary close to him suggested that his departure could trigger an exodus of second-rung leaders and cadres.

Annamalai had previously stated on Monday that he would share his next steps within two days.