Published Jun 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM
K Annamalai during election campaigning.
Synopsis: More than one lakh BJP members have reportedly joined former BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai’s new political movement after his exit from the party, triggering fresh concerns. The development has raised questions over whether the BJP is beginning to face an internal erosion in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP has been worried ever since its former Tamil Nadu unit president, K Annamalai, left the party and launched a new movement, We the Leaders, on 5 June.
The movement was an instant hit, and more than 18 lakh people have joined it since Annamalai’s announcement. People close to him said that the response has been overwhelming and far beyond their expectations.
However, what caught the public’s attention was that over one lakh of Annamalai’s followers are former members of the BJP, according to sources within Annamalai’s inner circle.
Also Read: After BJP exit, K Annamalai announces new political movement
The BJP leadership brought Annamalai, a former IPS officer, into Tamil Nadu politics in 2020 as part of what many saw as a major experiment to strengthen the party in the state. He was given significant prominence within the party, including the post of state president and multiple electoral opportunities.
However, after deciding to part ways with the BJP, Annamalai embarked on a separate political path, leading to growing questions over whether the very leader the BJP had projected as its future in Tamil Nadu is now becoming a reason for the party’s setback in the state.
People close to Annamalai said that more than one lakh BJP members, from grassroots workers to senior state leaders, have already joined Annamalai’s movement.
Among those who have shifted are former BJP state vice-president Karu Nagarajan and state secretary Sumathi Venkatesan.
Sources close to Annamalai told South First that people from multiple political organisations, including the BJP, prominent public figures and influential individuals across Tamil Nadu have begun associating with the movement.
The source also claimed that personalities such as Auditor Gurumurthy (Chartered Accountant and journalist Swaminathan Gurumurthy), Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, and actor Rajinikanth are supporting Annamalai’s political journey.
It has also been observed that a growing number of Rajinikanth fans have recently begun aligning with Annamalai’s movement. On Annamalai’s birthday earlier this month, several posters put up by Rajinikanth fan clubs appeared across Tamil Nadu, referring to Annamalai as the “future Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”
The source also claimed that Rajinikanth has been extending support to him in multiple ways.
Also Read: K Annamalai calls for monitoring of migrant workers in Tamil Nadu; cites spike in crime
Gen Z voters are increasingly becoming a decisive electoral bloc in Tamil Nadu, prompting traditional parties such as the DMK and AIADMK to actively focus on them. Of late, both DMK and AIADMK have been conducting district-wise Gen Z meetings.
According to the electoral roll published by the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on 6 April 2026, out of the 5,73,43,291 voters, 14,59,039 belong to the 18–19 age category, and 1,07,18,457 belong to the 20–29 age category. They represent over 21 percent of the total electorate.
Sources suggested that Annamalai’s movement was deliberately targeting this group.
As part of that strategy, Annamalai has avoided traditional media interactions and instead chosen to announce his new political journey primarily through social media platforms.
People close to him claimed nearly five lakh newly joined members belong to Gen Z.
Speaking to South First, a senior leader who left the BJP and joined Annamalai’s movement said the former IPS officer’s growth trajectory was significantly different from that of the BJP leadership in Tamil Nadu.
“Annamalai’s growth trajectory is completely different from theirs, and they simply cannot match that pace. They have not shown any real concern about BJP’s growth in Tamil Nadu. They function as though they are merely a national party operating in the state. If they were genuinely concerned about strengthening the party here, shouldn’t they have contested at least 80 seats based on the vote bank they already have?” he questioned.
When asked whether BJP sees losing Annamalai as a mistake or regrets his exit, the former BJP leader said, “From their perspective, they may think what they did was right. But Annamalai is a strong leader, recognised by everyone. He has now left and started a separate movement. That is definitely a loss for BJP.”
However, Tamil Nadu BJP’s chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy dismissed such claims.
He argued that while Annamalai’s departure may be unfortunate, it would not significantly damage a party that has existed for 47 years.
Thirupathy said Tamil Nadu BJP has nearly 50 lakh members, and even if around one lakh members have left, that cannot be viewed as a serious setback for a national party like the BJP.
Sources close to Annamalai told South First that several senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister L Murugan, Vanathi Srinivasan and Tamilisai Soundararajan, were happy about Annamalai’s exit.
Responding to this, senior Thirupathy said, “Why should they feel upset? A political party does not function around one individual. It is not necessary for anyone to feel bad when one person leaves a party. A party exists so that everyone within it can function happily. So there is nothing wrong if they are happy. But saying that these leaders are happy specifically because this particular person has left the party is completely false information.”
Similar to the perceived weakening of the AIADMK following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and the exodus of its members and former ministers to Chief Minister Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Annamalai’s exit has triggered tremors within the BJP.
With leaders ranging from grassroots cadres to senior functionaries steadily joining Annamalai’s movement one after another, the BJP now finds itself pushed into a difficult situation where it may be forced to reconsider its political strategy in Tamil Nadu.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
