Tamil Nadu BJP leader Annamalai meets Amit Shah; discusses ‘future course’

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K. Annamalai meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on June 2, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, whose supporters feel his potential was not optimally exploited in the party since mid-2025, met with top party leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) to discuss his future political course.

Two months ago, Mr. Annamalai made his displeasure known to the leadership about the “raw deal” given to the BJP by the AIADMK during the seat-sharing for the Assembly election. With the BJP candidates being defeated in all but one seat, and the changed political climate in the State following the stunning debut of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, it was speculated that he was exploring options, including charting out on his own.

On Tuesday, he separately met Mr. Shah, party national president Nitin Nabin and BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh in Delhi. During the meeting, he is learnt to have briefed them about his assessment of the political scenario and why the BJP’s performance was below par in the election. Besides, he is learnt to have broached his future political course.

BJP chief Nitin Nabin accepts Annamalai’s resignation from party’s membership

The party leadership, sources indicated, did not convey any immediate decision on the plans for him but was open to discussing a role for him. Those close to Mr. Annamalai indicated he was also willing to wait for the leadership’s decision before taking any other steps.

Mr. Annamalai, a former IPS officer, headed the BJP State unit from July 16, 2021 to April 11, 2025, when Nainar Nagenthran replaced him.

Mr. Annamalai had unsuccessfully contested from Aravakurichi in the 2021 Assembly election and from Coimbatore in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He did not contest the recent Assembly election and had identified himself as an “ordinary karyakarta” of the party.

The BJP leadership is expected to take Mr. Nagenthran into confid