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After Annamalai quits BJP, party says 'no loss'
05 Jun 2026

K Annamalai, the former Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief and a prominent face of the party in the state, has resigned.

The development comes just hours before he was scheduled to address an "open, heart-to-heart conversation" with the public on social media.

Speaking on the resignation, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran told reporters, "There is no loss for the BJP. It is the biggest party in the world."

Backroom negotiations led to acceptance of Annamalai's resignation
Resignation details

Annamalai had met BJP chief Nabin in Delhi on Tuesday and expressed his desire to end their partnership on "cordial terms."

He also met senior leaders Amit Shah and BL Santhosh.

After backroom negotiations, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran was summoned to Delhi for further talks.

Finally, the party accepted Annamalai's resignation.

'National parties never spoke Tamil Nadu's language'
Future plans

In his resignation letter, Annamalai wrote that "national parties never spoke the language that people in Tamil Nadu understood." He thanked the senior BJP leadership for their support.

Sources close to him told NDTV that he is planning to start a people's movement aimed at identifying and grooming young leaders across Tamil Nadu. This could eventually become a political party.

Annamalai lost 2 elections
Career overview

Annamalai, a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had joined the BJP in 2020 after resigning from the civil services.

He was appointed state vice president within weeks and became state unit chief the following year.

Despite his efforts to increase the BJP's visibility in Tamil Nadu, he has not won any elections yet.

He lost both the 2021 Assembly election and the 2024 Lok Sabha election.