Annamalai Leaves BJP, Says Views No Longer Align

“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,” BJP said in an official statement.

Exit Follows Meetings with Top Leaders

The decision followed three days after him holding meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nabin, and the national general secretary of the party B.L. Santhosh submitted a resignation letter to the party leadership on June 2. Sources say that Mr. Annamalai informed the party leadership of the political conditions in Tamil Nadu and what has prompted him to leave his party membership. 

At the same time, Tamil Nadu BJP’s Nainar Nagenthran underplayed the quitting of K Annamalai from the party and assured that there was "no loss" on his departure as far as he is concerned. 

Annamalai Cites Leadership Differences

Annamalai said that he had been involved in “disagreements” with top BJP leadership over the last 18 months. 

“I would recall the multiple conversations with the top leadership and the disagreements I have expressed over the last 18 months. I do not want to burden the top leadership any further with my ongoing thoughts on the way forward for a growth-oriented and culturally rooted politics in Tamil Nadu. After my conversation with our senior leadership, I have come to the conclusion that our views don't align regarding Tamil Nadu," Annamalai said.

Exit Seen As Setback for BJP

In some quarters of the BJP, Annamalai's resignation is being seen as a major blow to its aims in Tamil Nadu. Having worked for some time as head of the party in Tamil Nadu, the ex-IPS officer had made it to the top of the BJP in the south leading to increasing the morale of the cadre and its leadership in the state. 

He was seen as contributing to the enhancement of the BJP's position through hard-hitting campaign style, openly targeting political rivals and extensive networking of party supporters.