Annamalai's 'We The Leaders' holds anti-drug conference in Pollachi Sunday
Synopsis
K. Annamalai's first major public event since quitting the BJP is not a political rally — it is a 20,000-strong anti-drug awareness conference in Pollachi, signalling that 'We The Leaders' intends to build social capital before electoral capital. The choice of a civic theme over a partisan one is a deliberate framing that could broaden his appeal well beyond the BJP's traditional base in Tamil Nadu.
Key Takeaways
Annamalai will lead the first major conference of 'We The Leaders' in Pollachi on Sunday, 13 July .
The event is themed 'Drug-Free Tamil Nadu' and is scheduled to begin at 4 pm at Achipatti , near Pollachi.
Organisers expect around 20,000 participants from across Tamil Nadu, with LED screens set up outside for overflow crowds.
Cultural performances carrying anti-drug messages will precede Annamalai's keynote address.
The conference is the first large gathering by Annamalai since he resigned from the BJP and launched the movement.
Security has been tightened and traffic management teams deployed around the venue.
K. Annamalai, former president of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will lead the first major public conference of his newly launched movement 'We The Leaders' in Pollachi on Sunday, 13 July, with the gathering organised around the theme 'Drug-Free Tamil Nadu'. The awareness conference is scheduled to begin at 4 pm at Achipatti, near Pollachi, and organisers expect upwards of 20,000 participants from across the state.
Significance of the Pollachi Conference
The event marks the first large-scale public gathering convened by Annamalai since he resigned from the BJP and floated the 'We The Leaders' movement. It is being closely watched as a gauge of the movement's grassroots reach and its capacity to mobilise volunteers across Tamil Nadu's districts. Organisers have transformed the Achipatti venue into an expansive convention space, with large LED screens installed outside the main hall to accommodate overflow crowds who cannot enter the primary arena.
Programme and Cultural Performances
The conference will open with a series of cultural performances — music, dance, and other artistic presentations — each carrying anti-drug awareness messaging. Organisers said the programming is designed to reach younger audiences and encourage broader community participation in the campaign against narcotic abuse. The venue has been decorated with visuals referencing local landmarks, including the Aliyar Dam and Pollachi's well-known coconut groves, reflecting the region's cultural identity.
Annamalai's Expected Address
Annamalai is expected to deliver the keynote address, during which he is likely to outline the objectives of 'We The Leaders' and articulate the organisation's strategy for building a drug-free Tamil Nadu through public awareness campaigns, community participation, and sustained social outreach. Members and volunteers from district units across Tamil Nadu have been invited, with logistical arrangements in place to facilitate their attendance.
Security and Crowd Management
Authorities have tightened security in and around the venue ahead of the expected large turnout. Traffic management measures and dedicated volunteer teams have been deployed to assist participants arriving from different parts of the state. This comes amid growing public concern over drug abuse among Tamil Nadu's youth — an issue that has gained political salience across party lines in recent years.
The Pollachi conference is being viewed as a significant early test for 'We The Leaders' as it seeks to expand its footprint beyond its founding moment and establish itself as a credible social movement with statewide reach.
Point of View
He sidesteps the factional baggage of party politics while building a volunteer network that could later serve electoral purposes. Tamil Nadu's drug crisis is real and politically potent, particularly in western districts including Coimbatore and Pollachi itself. Whether this translates into durable public trust or remains a launch-phase spectacle will depend on whether the movement sustains its campaign beyond a single high-profile event.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'We The Leaders' movement launched by K. Annamalai?
'We The Leaders' is a public movement founded by K. Annamalai after he resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) . It positions itself as a civic platform focused on social campaigns, with its first major initiative centred on building a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
When and where is the 'We The Leaders' anti-drug conference being held?
The conference is scheduled for Sunday, 13 July , at Achipatti near Pollachi in Tamil Nadu, beginning at 4 pm . The venue has been set up to accommodate around 20,000 participants .
Why is the Pollachi conference significant for Annamalai?
It is the first major public gathering led by Annamalai since he quit the BJP and launched 'We The Leaders'. The event is seen as an early test of the movement's ability to mobilise supporters across Tamil Nadu.
Who is expected to attend the conference?
Members and volunteers from district units across Tamil Nadu have been invited. Organisers expect around 20,000 participants , with large LED screens installed outside the main hall for those unable to enter.
What will happen at the conference?
The programme will open with cultural performances — including music and dance — carrying anti-drug awareness messages, followed by a keynote address by Annamalai outlining the objectives and vision of 'We The Leaders' for a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
