'There is no loss': Tamil Nadu BJP chief as his predecessor Annamalai quits party

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran on Friday said the party would not suffer any loss following the exit of former state president K Annamalai.Addressing reporters after Annamalai's exit, Nagendran said, "There is no loss." Nagendran dismissed suggestions that K Annamalai's exit would affect the party and said the BJP remains driven by ideology rather than individuals."I cannot comment on Annamalai's resignation. 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.He also rejected allegations that the BJP does not give adequate importance to Tamil Nadu's rights and interests."The allegation that importance is not being given to state-level rights is incorrect," he said.Highlighting PM Modi's outreach to Tamil culture and heritage, Nagendran said the BJP has consistently worked to promote and preserve the Tamil language."Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits any country, he speaks about Tamil, its heritage and its greatness. He has even helped recover our ancient inscriptions. The BJP has consistently been working with genuine concern for the Tamil language," he added.His remarks came shortly after Annamalai announced the launch of a new political movement and confirmed that he would contest future assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.Earlier, Annamalai addressed supporters through social media and explained the reasons behind his decision to quit the BJP and start a new political platform. The former IPS officer said he had informed the BJP leadership about his decision several months ago."I told the party on December 4, 2025 that I am going to resign. The party asked me to finish the elections and then go," Annamalai said.He stated that he had joined the BJP with the aim of bringing positive change and now believed the time had come to build a new political alternative in Tamil Nadu."We will encourage all segments of society to participate in the political movement. Furthermore, more technocrats will be encouraged to join the party," he said.Annamalai said his proposed movement would seek to bring systemic changes to the state's political culture."We should use all available talent for the development of the state. To achieve that, we have to change our political grammar and culture. We should end cult politics and dynastic politics," he said.He also stressed that politics should not revolve around individuals holding positions indefinitely."There is no permanent MLA, MP or minister. This includes myself. This is going to be our goal and motto of our political movement," he added.According to Annamalai, Tamil Nadu requires another political force that can offer a different style of governance and leadership."There is a need for another political party," he said.Annamalai urged his supporters to remain patient as the new movement takes shape."Whoever wants to join, let them be patient. They need a curing period, like a brick used to build a building's foundation. Believe me and stay with me. We will surely bring a revolution to Tamil Nadu and make it the number one state in the country," he said.He further said that young people were looking for change and that the movement would seek to connect with them through modern platforms."Our youth are hungry for change. We cannot ignore them, and that is why we are reaching out to them through social media," he said.Annamalai announced that the movement would be called the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics and would be headquartered in Coimbatore.The BJP confirmed that party president Nitin Nabin had accepted Annamalai's resignation from the primary membership of the party.In an official statement, the BJP said, "The National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nitin Nabin, has accepted the resignation submitted by the Tamil Nadu Ex. State President, K. Annamalai, from the primary membership of the Party."The development came after Annamalai visited New Delhi and held meetings with BJP president Nitin Nabin, party general secretary BL Santhosh and home minister Amit Shah.Annamalai's exit follows months of speculation about his future in the BJP. The rumours gained momentum after the BJP's poor performance in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, where the party secured only around three per cent vote share while contesting as part of the AIADMK-led alliance.Despite the recent setback, Annamalai is widely credited with significantly expanding the BJP's presence in Tamil Nadu during his tenure as state president. Under his leadership, the party's vote share rose from around three per cent to nearly 11 per cent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.However, the BJP failed to win a parliamentary seat in the state, following which Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendran as Tamil Nadu BJP chief in 2025.In recent weeks, posters urging Annamalai to return to active politics and lead a new movement had appeared across Coimbatore, fuelling speculation that he was preparing to chart an independent political course.With the launch of the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics, Annamalai has now formally entered a new phase of his political career, setting the stage for a fresh challenge in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.