Published Feb 26, 2026 | 9:52 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 26, 2026 | 10:35 AM
K Annamalai.
Synopsis: Buzz in political circles indicates that K Annamalai, the former president of Tamil Nadu BJP, is being considered to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh. Even though the BJP wants Annamalai to contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, he is reportedly reluctant due to his displeasure over the saffron party’s alliance with the AIADMK.
Has K Annamalai, the former president of Tamil Nadu BJP, resumed his efforts to move to the Upper House of the Parliament? The answer, going by the buzz in political circles, is yes.
The state from where he is looking to get elected to the Rajya Sabha is Andhra Pradesh, where four seats are falling vacant soon, with the ruling NDA comprising TDP, BJP and Jana Sena, in a position to bag all of them.
The initial plan of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was to offer one seat either to the BJP or Jana Sena and fill the other three with TDP nominees.
However, the thinking seems to be changing in light of indications, although preliminary, emerging that the BJP would like to take one seat and get one more for Jana Sena. This will reduce the TDP’s quota to two.
According to sources, the BJP leadership wants Annamalai to contest the upcoming Assembly polls from either western or southern Tamil Nadu.
However, the officer-turned-politician is not keen on entering the fray and, instead, prefers to be elevated to the Rajya Sabha. As is known, his reluctance stems from the likelihood of the BJP contesting the polls in an alliance with the AIADMK, a combination he is not in favour of. Annamalai’s public bickering with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami is no secret.
A fortnight ago, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan and Naidu met after the former was said to have raised the plan for the Rajya Sabha polls. Naidu replied that there was still time to firm up a decision. That was a couple of weeks ago.
Annamalai’s name is said to have cropped up post the meeting between Naidu and Pawan Kalyan.
At the same time, the most likely candidate from Jana Sena will be businessman Lingamaneni Ramesh. He is considered close to both Pawan Kalyan and Naidu and often acts as the bridge between TDP and Jana Sena.
Although the Rajya Sabha vacancies will technically arise in June this year, the notification is expected to be issued during the ongoing budget session of the Parliament.
The vacancies are on account of the retirement of four current members: Ayodhya Rami Reddy, Pilli Subash Chandra Bose, industrialist Parimal Nathwani (all YSRCP) and Sana Satish Babu, who had a truncated term when he was nominated towards the end of 2024, months after the TDP combine came to power.
Having already sent two candidates to the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh, whether the BJP presses for a seat this time too is a question. If it indeed does, will Naidu agree is the other.
Interestingly, Annamalai is close to Pawan Kalyan. The theory being floated is that getting him elected to the Rajya Sabha will send good vibes among Annamalai’s supporters in Tamil Nadu and thereby improve the BJP’s prospects in the elections.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
