‘Don't leave, we have PM Modi’: BJP TN chief's appeal to cadres after mass resignations post Annamalai exit

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Saturday appealed to party workers not to leave the BJP following former state chief K. Annamalai's resignation and launch of a new political movement, asserting that the party would not be affected by the development.Addressing reporters in Chennai, Nagendran urged cadres to remain with the BJP and avoid joining any other party or movement."My request to the BJP cadres - don't go to any other party or any other movement. Please, be here. BJP is a huge party in the world. We have the number one leader in the world, PM Modi," he said.Nagendran also dismissed suggestions that Annamalai's departure would dent the BJP's support base in Tamil Nadu."There is no impact. The BJP is a huge party. So many leaders went out from the party, then joined again," he said.Nagendran's remarks come a day after Annamalai formally quit the BJP and unveiled a new political initiative aimed at promoting what he described as "common man politics" and ending "cult" and dynastic politics in the state.Annamalai's exit has already triggered a series of resignations within the Tamil Nadu BJP, including those of state vice-president Karu Nagarajan, state secretary Sumathi Venkatesh and several other office-bearers, fuelling speculation that more leaders could join his new political platform.Annamalai, a former IPS officer who led the BJP's expansion efforts in Tamil Nadu, has said his political goals required a new and more inclusive platform.He has maintained that he left the BJP on amicable terms and continues to respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Despite the resignations, Nagendran had earlier insisted that the BJP remained strong and would continue to grow in the state.He maintained that the party's future was not tied to any one individual and expressed confidence that workers would remain committed to the BJP's ideology."The BJP is not a party that was formed recently. It is an ideology-based party, and there will certainly be no impact from this development. Anyone is free to start a political party. In a democracy, everyone has that right. Annamalai's resignation from BJP will not have any impact on the party," he added.His remarks echoed the party's earlier position that the BJP is an ideology-driven organisation and would not suffer a setback because of a single leader's departure.The appeal also comes as Annamalai's newly launched movement, "We The Leaders", has attracted significant attention.The initiative drew more than eight lakh volunteers within hours of its launch, signalling strong early interest in the former BJP leader's new political venture.Annamalai has said the movement would focus on encouraging professionals, technocrats and ordinary citizens to participate in governance while promoting a "growth-oriented and culturally rooted" politics in Tamil Nadu.