Amit Shah Clarifies Annamalai’s Position Amid Tamil Nadu BJP Leadership Change

 New Delhi, April 11, 2025 - Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed speculations surrounding the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu on Friday, following the appointment of Tirunelveli MLA Nainar Nagendran as the new state president, succeeding K Annamalai.

Rumors had circulated suggesting Annamalai’s removal was linked to his efforts to forge an alliance with Edapaddi K Palaniswami’s AIADMK. Dismissing these claims, Shah stated, “This is not true at all.” With a reassuring smile, he gestured toward Annamalai, seated to his left, and affirmed, “Mr. Annamalai is the state president even today, and that is why he is sitting with me.”

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On NDA alliance for Tamil Nadu Vidhan Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "AIADMK has no conditions and demands... We will have no interference in the internal matters of the AIADMK... This alliance is going to be beneficial to both… pic.twitter.com/9sUeKCkI62

— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025

Shah further announced a strategic alliance between BJP and AIADMK for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, stating, “The leaders of AIADMK and BJP have decided to contest the next Tamil Nadu Assembly polls together with allies under the NDA banner. This election will be fought at the national level under the leadership of Narendra Modi and at the state level by AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami.” He highlighted the historical collaboration, noting, “Since 1998, AIADMK has been part of the NDA alliance. For a long time, PM Modi ji and the late CM Jayalalithaa ji worked together in national politics. At one point, this alliance secured 30 out of 39 seats in the general elections. I am confident the NDA will achieve a substantial majority and form the government in Tamil Nadu.”

Criticizing the ruling DMK, Shah accused the party of diverting attention from critical issues by focusing on topics such as delimitation, NEET, and the three-language policy. He alleged, “The DMK government in Tamil Nadu is marred by widespread corruption, atrocities against Dalits and women, and a severe collapse of law and order. Under CM M.K. Stalin’s leadership, the state has been rocked by multiple scams, including a Rs 39,000 crore liquor scam, sand mining scam, energy scam, transport scam, money laundering, nutrition kit scam, free dhoti scam, illegal raids, smuggling, and irregularities in MGNREGA.”