During the interview to News18, Annamalai also expressed confidence that the BJP will win the mandate in the upcoming Karnataka elections, where he is the co-in-charge of the party. (Twitter/@annamalai_k)
In an exclusive interview to News18, Annamalai of the Tamil Nadu BJP and Karnataka in-charge denied any rift with AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami, but said the BJP has to move beyond being a “five-seat party” in the state
My wings have not been clipped and I will continue to aggressively pursue the development of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, party’s state unit chief K Annamalai told News18 in an exclusive interview, adding that the alliance with the AIADMK is likely to last for the 2026 assembly. Election will continue till
Asked whether he has been asked to toe the party line amid alleged differences with the AIADMK, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief said: “The senior leadership of the party is very clear that the Tamil Nadu BJP has to move forward. This means that the BJP will have to do some work that resonates at the grassroots level. BJP cannot remain a junior party for very long. I have been insisting on this for a long time. You cannot contest on four or five seats and say you are a senior party… The goal is to ensure that the NDA remains intact.
He said he has the support of the party’s top leadership to “take forward the development of the BJP”.
Asserting that all is well between him and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, Annamalai said: “We are friends. Not that we have a problem with each other. Edappadi Palaniswami has been very candid about his party as it was in very turbulent times. He is very clear about where his party needs to go… I have never incited anyone or spoken bad about anyone. I am very clear on BJP’s game-plan. I have not come here to criticize other parties. I am not responsible if anyone feels like this.
When asked about his recent allegations of corruption against the ruling DMK, Annamalai said the “revelations”, called #DMKFiles, would continue.
“DMK is upset. We have been successful in penetrating the DMK chakravyuh, There is a lot more left for #DMKFiles… DMK can no longer carry on the Hindi vs Tamil story.
Annamalai had earlier this month alleged that a “bribe of Rs 200 crore” was paid to “Chief Minister MK Stalin for DMK’s 2011 election fund” by a multinational company through two shell firms. He said that he would complain to the CBI and demand an inquiry. The ruling DMK dismissed the allegation as “ridiculous, baseless and baseless” and said that legal action would be initiated against Annamalai.
During the interview to News18, Annamalai also expressed confidence that the BJP will win the mandate in the upcoming Karnataka elections, where he is the co-in-charge of the party.
“The people of Karnataka have to decide whether they want a Khichdi government or a double engine government. Congress peaked early and is now losing steam…push for PM Narendra Modi Development Has turned towards BJP. The first caste-based voter in Karnataka is now embracing Development pitch,” said Annamalai.
Asked about the reception he received while campaigning in Karnataka as a Tamizan, Annamalai said: “I am a Tamizan, but have served the people of Karnataka selflessly as a police officer. I know the language People have accepted me and respected my efforts. Karnataka is a very proud state but has more acceptance of outsiders. There are fringe elements in the state, but the majority Kannadigas are nationalist and spiritual. This is the beauty of Karnataka.
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