NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief Ok Annamalai mentioned he had voluntarily opted out of contesting the upcoming meeting elections.“I had already knowledgeable the core committee in writing that I might not contest from any constituency. So, it isn’t that I used to be denied a ticket; the reality is that I made a decision to not contest,” he mentioned.“Since this has develop into a subject of dialogue within the media, I’m clarifying it right here. I’m grateful to the BJP management for respecting my determination and giving me the chance to marketing campaign in help of the NDA alliance candidates,” Annamalai added additional.
The BJP chief, who was campaigning in Kannur in Kerala, has been requested to return to Chennai to satisfy Modi on Saturday morning.Union minister Piyush Goyal, who launched the get together’s candidate checklist, mentioned Annamalai had chosen to concentrate on campaigning throughout the state somewhat than contesting from a single constituency.“Annamalai is a devoted employee of the get together and has chosen to work throughout the state somewhat than contest from one constituency,” Goyal mentioned, including that candidates had been chosen primarily based on inputs from the state unit and particular person preferences.Moments after the checklist was introduced, Annamalai mentioned on X that he would marketing campaign for NDA candidates.“I’m a karyakarta and can stand shoulder to shoulder & marketing campaign for all our profitable BJP & different NDA candidates, with the purpose of the NDA profitable 210 seats,” he mentioned.The BJP has fielded Nainar Nagenthran from Sattur, Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore (North), and Union minister L. Murugan from Avinashi.Inside the get together, Annamalai’s absence from the poll has sparked debate. A senior chief mentioned he drew massive crowds at rallies addressed by Modi in Madurai and Madurantakam and loved help amongst youthful voters.“His absence from the poll might have an effect on mobilisation and provides opposition events area to query inside selections linked to the alliance,” the chief mentioned.Others, nevertheless, emphasised that the choice was a part of a broader electoral technique.“The get together isn’t centred on one particular person. The management decides alliances and candidate choice primarily based on longterm technique,” one other senior chief mentioned.Annamalai’s diminished function throughout the get together has been famous over the previous 12 months. He was changed as state president, and his affect waned after the BJP and the AIADMK renewed ties beneath a deal negotiated by Union dwelling minister Amit Shah and AIADMK chief Edappadi Ok. Palaniswami in April 2025. He was additionally not a part of seat-sharing talks or key decision-making groups.In February 2026, he was made ballot in-charge for six seats and later stepped again from formal roles citing private causes, whereas persevering with background marketing campaign work in elements of Coimbatore that had been finally not allotted to the BJP.Leaders seen as near him, together with Amarprasad Reddy and SG Suryah, had been additionally not fielded.In the meantime, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya described Annamalai because the get together’s “hottest chief” and expressed confidence in his marketing campaign function.“Annamalai is the most well-liked chief of the BJP, not simply in Tamil Nadu, however he instructions a big following everywhere in the nation. He has been given the duty of campaigning for all of the candidates in Tamil Nadu. Even right now, he’s in Keralam the place he enjoys an excellent following. He’s additionally campaigning in Puducherry, the place individuals are loopy about him. I’m extraordinarily assured that Annamalai’s reputation and his marketing campaign all throughout Tamil Nadu will translate into victory for the BJP candidates all throughout the state.” he mentioned.