Ties with AIADMK strained, BJP’s Annamalai gives them another tug: Tells party, let’s fight alone

A top BJP leader who was present at the meeting said Annamalai argued that only by contesting alone could the party effectively combat corruption and nepotism, and promote good governance. The path would not be without hardship, a passionate Annamalai said, as per the leader. “But he urged party members to embrace the extraordinary pain as necessary to build the party from the ground up. He also said he would brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and further discuss his position on the alliance.”

To many veterans in the BJP who have seen the swift rise of Annamalai in the party ranks after taking VRS from the IPS, this was typical bluster from the young, man-in-a-hurry leader. Regional parties in Tamil Nadu expect a certain deference from their national allies, they point out, and Annamalai may be hurting the party’s cause at a time when the AIADMK is finally getting its house in order post-Jayalalithaa’s demise.

At least two senior BJP leaders and a top RSS leader in the state said the party was unlikely to heed Annamalai’s advice, with one saying they may even call his bluff.

Earlier, after 13 BJP leaders of varying seniority, seen as having differences with Annamalai, left the party and were welcomed with open arms by the AIADMK, Annamalai had expressed his displeasure. Among these 13, BJP IT wing chief C T R Nirmal Kumar was inducted into AIADMK by its top leader Edappadi K Palaniswami himself, hours after he quit the BJP attacking Annamalai’s style of functioning and self-styled behaviour.

Annamalai had declared: “I want to work as a leader, not a manager. I intend to run this party in the manner J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi ran their parties. I can’t help it if that upsets a section in my party.”

Annamalai is seen as deriving his strength from the backing he enjoys of BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, as well as the unwavering support so far he has got of the central leadership.

However, at the same time, there is little delusion within the BJP that the party can afford severing ties with the AIADMK, especially when the countdown to the 2024 general elections has begun and when the BJP is seeking to increase its tally in the south.

A top RSS leader dismissed Annamalai’s speech as “emotional”, not befitting a man holding his post. “Can he afford to make such statements while occupying the position of state chief? If he is involved in electoral politics, he must continuously engage in negotiation and dialogue to find the middle ground,” the leader said, while giving Annamalai the benefit of doubt because of his age (he is in his 30s).

A senior BJP leader said there was no question of breaking the alliance with the AIADMK. “We consider it as significant in national politics as well. We will contest together, and the BJP will secure at least 10 seats within the alliance. Either Annamalai needs to change his aggressive stance on the alliance, or he will soon start working as an ordinary cadre,” the leader said.