- K Annamalai aims to politically groom like-minded individuals through this initiative
- Annamalai currently runs a non-profit called "We the Leaders"
- No political party launch planned for the next six months, sources said
The Tamil Nadu BJP's former chief K Annamalai will launch a "New Movement" in the state, sources have said. He aims to enrol like-minded people, build a strong volunteer base and groom them politically, sources said.
His move follows his differences with the Centre over the three-language policy. Annamalai had sought a roll back of the implementation of the CBSE's three-language policy for students of Class 9. In a post on X, he had remarked that it caused "unnecessary mental stress" to students and parents in Tamil Nadu.
Annamalai had headed the BJP from 2021 to 2025.
A former IPS officer who entered politics in 2020, Annamalai had replaced L Murugan as state BJP chief in 2021.
While Annamalai - seen as a clean and assertive face - was credited with re-energising the BJP to an extent. His aggressive style and media presence made him a voice the central leaders lent an ear to.
But eventually, he had over-reached, his controversial comments on CN Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa had alienated ally AIADMK. It led to a breakdown in the alliance, with the two parties contesting separately and facing huge setbacks while the DMK-led alliance swept the polls.
When the alliance was renewed, sources said AIADMK chief E Palaniswami had a precondition -a change in the leadership of the BJP's state unit. Following this, Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendran as state president.
Annamalai is yet to contest any election in the state - he was not given nomination for the Lok Sabha or the state assembly election.
