Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai resigned abruptly on Friday, signaling a major shift in the state's political landscape. His departure comes just days after AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, fueling speculation about a renewed alliance between the two parties.
Annamalai's aggressive push to establish the BJP as an independent force failed to translate into electoral gains, leaving the party with limited options ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
The BJP-AIADMK split before the 2024 general election proved disastrous, allowing the DMK-led alliance to sweep all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Political analysts suggest a reunited opposition could have secured at least 12-15 seats, changing the narrative in the state.
Also Read |
Ahead of Assembly polls, Tamil Nadu govt announces Rs 12,110 cr farm loan waiver
Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam now faces unexpected complications, as a potential BJP-AIADMK pact would shrink his party's room to maneuver.
Recent surveys show DMK leader MK Stalin remains the frontrunner for chief minister with 27% support, while Vijay trails at 18%. A combined AIADMK-BJP bloc would command 19% backing, potentially marginalizing Vijay's debutant party.
The resignation clears the path for a more pragmatic BJP approach, prioritizing alliances over Annamalai's confrontational style. For the AIADMK, this represents a chance to reclaim its position as the principal opposition after years of decline.
Vijay's anti-establishment rhetoric, which targeted both DMK and BJP, may need recalibration if his potential allies join forces with his declared opponents. The 2026 elections could now become a four-way contest, with the DMK coalition, BJP-AIADMK, TVK, and smaller parties vying for dominance.
Long-term, this realignment could reshape Tamil Nadu's political equations ahead of the 2029 general elections. The BJP central leadership appears willing to sacrifice ideological purity for tangible gains in a state that has long resisted its expansion. Annamalai's exit marks not just a change of guard but a strategic pivot in Tamil Nadu's high-stakes political game.
