A day after former Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai walked out of the Bharatiya Janata Party and announced plans for a new political outfit, state BJP President Nainar Nagendran launched a strong appeal to party workers, alleging that certain party members are being “brainwashed” and misled into quitting the organisation in the aftermath of the former state chief’s departure.
As speculation grows over possible exits from the BJP after Annamalai announced plans to launch a new political platform, Nagendran claimed that false narratives are being circulated among party workers, including claims that resignations have the blessings of the BJP’s top leadership. He categorically asserted that no party member has been authorised to resign and urged cadres to ignore such attempts.
Addressing a press conference, Nainar Nagendran said the BJP had accepted Annamalai’s resignation but warned that efforts were underway to influence workers into following the former state president out of the party. “Some members are being brainwashed and made to claim that they have Modi or Amit Shah’s blessings to resign,” Nagendran alleged, while making it clear that no such permission had been granted by the party leadership.
Strong appeal to cadres
Seeking to contain any fallout from the high-profile resignation, Nagendran appealed directly to party workers to remain loyal to the BJP and avoid taking decisions based on misleading campaigns. He said, “My request to the BJP cadres – don’t go to any other party or any other movement. Please, be here. BJP is a huge party in the world. We have the number one leader in the world, PM Modi…”
He stressed that individuals joining another movement or political outfit could not continue as BJP members and advised cadres to remain focused on strengthening the organisation.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | On Annamalai forming a new party after resigning from BJP, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, “My request to the BJP cadres – don’t go to any other party or any other movement. Please, be here. BJP is a huge party in the world. We have… pic.twitter.com/vVWkoQNrmW
— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2026
‘No setback for BJP’
The Tamil Nadu BJP chief also maintained that the party faced no organisational crisis despite Annamalai’s departure. According to him, the party remains intact and capable of moving forward under its existing leadership structure. He said, “There is no impact. The BJP is a huge party. So many leaders went out from the party, then joined again…”
Chennai | Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, “I cannot comment on Annamalai’s resignation. The BJP is not a party that was formed recently. It is an ideology-based party, and there will certainly be no impact from this development. Anyone is free to start a political… pic.twitter.com/W6W5laVbNG
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2026
The remarks came a day after K Annamalai formally announced the launch of a new political movement that will eventually contest the next Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Speaking after his resignation, Annamalai said he had informed the BJP leadership months earlier about his intention to leave the party. He indicated that differences in political outlook and his vision for Tamil Nadu contributed to his decision.
He also revealed that he had communicated his plans to the party leadership in December 2025 but was requested to remain until the completion of the election process.
BJP President Nitin Nabin accepted Annamalai’s resignation from the party’s primary membership. In his resignation communication, Annamalai expressed gratitude to the BJP leadership for its support while stating that differing perspectives on Tamil Nadu’s political direction had led him to chart a separate course.