Published Apr 03, 2026 | 4:02 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2026 | 4:02 PM
Despite widespread expectations, former state unit president K Annamalai’s name does not feature in the list.
Synopsis: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its candidate list for the 27 seats it is contesting in the 23 April Tamil Nadu Assembly elections as part of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party has renominated several sitting MLAs and made key changes, fielding L Murugan from Avinashi and Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore. Notably, the list does not feature former party president K Annamalai.
After weeks of delay and speculation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, 3 April, released its candidate list for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The party is contesting 27 constituencies as part of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Among the incumbents, the party has renominated state BJP president Nainar Nagendran, MR Gandhi and Vanathi Srinivasan. However, C Saraswathi, who won from Modakkurichi in the last Assembly elections, has not been given a ticket this time.
Notably, despite widespread expectations, former state unit president K Annamalai’s name does not feature in the list.
Former Telangana Governor and senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan is set to contest from Mylapore, and Union Minister of State L Murugan has been fielded from Avinashi (SC).
Tamilisai had earlier unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from South Chennai after resigning from her gubernatorial post.
Murugan contested the 2021 Assembly elections from Dharapuram (SC) but lost to the DMK’s N Kayalvizhi by a narrow margin.
Nainar Nagendran, meanwhile, has been fielded from Sattur instead of his previous Tirunelveli constituency, a move made at the request of alliance partner AIADMK as part of seat-sharing adjustments.
Similarly, sitting MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, who won from Coimbatore South in the previous Assembly elections, has now been fielded from Coimbatore North.
Vijayadharani, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress, has been allotted the Vilavancode constituency.
She had earlier served as MLA from the same constituency before resigning from the Congress and joining the BJP, and has now been fielded again from her former seat, a move that shows the party’s attempt to retain and consolidate its base in the southern district.
The exclusion of K Annamalai from the candidates’ list comes as a surprise, despite him consistently stating to the media that he would not contest the Assembly elections.
At the same time, several of his actions, including stepping away from election-related responsibilities, have sparked controversy.
In a message after the release of the candidate list, Annamalai congratulated BJP candidates, saying they carry the aspirations of people “tired of corruption, complacency, and the DMK’s betrayal.”
He reiterated his commitment to the party, saying he would work as a karyakarta, standing “shoulder to shoulder” with BJP and NDA candidates, and said the alliance would win 210 seats.
