Annamalai Clarifies No Link Between Amit Shah’s Visit and BJP Leadership Elections in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, April 10 (NationPress) The president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, K. Annamalai, stated on Thursday that there is no correlation between Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Chennai and the elections for the party's state president position.

Shah is set to arrive in Chennai on Thursday evening and will engage in a series of high-level meetings during his visit. Annamalai mentioned that the BJP will provide a formal briefing to the media regarding the specifics of Shah's visit on Friday, April 11.

After paying respects to the late former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Kumari Ananthan at the home of his daughter and senior BJP figure Tamilisai Soundararajan, Annamalai addressed various political matters during a press interaction.

In light of the Supreme Court's recent ruling that mandates timely decisions by Governors on Bills passed by State Legislatures, Annamalai emphasized the ruling as “a significant judgment” that should be honored by all political factions.

When questioned about Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Dr. S. Ramadoss declaring himself president and appointing his son Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss as working president, Annamalai remarked that the BJP does not meddle in the internal matters of other political entities.

Shah's visit occurs at a politically critical juncture, following his recent discussions in New Delhi with AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister K. Palaniswami (EPS), who was accompanied by senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy. This meeting has sparked speculation regarding a potential revival of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, which dissolved in September 2023.

The breakdown of the alliance was largely linked to Annamalai's leadership approach and his contentious comments aimed at revered Dravidian figures such as C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa—remarks that faced strong opposition from AIADMK leaders.

This now-defunct alliance had yielded favorable outcomes in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with the BJP clinching four seats and the AIADMK securing 66. However, relations soured after Annamalai assumed the role of state BJP chief, leading both parties to face challenges in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Sources within the BJP and RSS perceive that rekindling an alliance with a significant Dravidian party is vital for the BJP's electoral success in Tamil Nadu. With the ruling DMK regarded as a major adversary, the AIADMK is seen as the most feasible partner. Senior RSS officials have reportedly advised the BJP's central leadership to formalize any alliance well ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

During his visit to Chennai, Shah is also anticipated to convene with senior RSS leaders, including Thuglak magazine editor and influential thinker S. Gurumurthy, on April 11.