K Annamalai supporters revive welfare clubs across Tamil Nadu on his birthday

MADURAI: Even as the suspense over his continuation in BJP continued, the welfare clubs associated with former BJP state president K Annamalai resurfaced across parts of southern Tamil Nadu on Thursday, coinciding with his birthday.Posters were also put up at many places greeting Annamalai on his birthday. While some signalled support for his proposed plans for a new party, a few urged him to reconsider and stay in BJP. In Madurai, members of Annamalai Narpani Mandram distributed notebooks, pencils, pens and other study materials to 100 schoolchildren in Jaihindpuram. Prasanth Kumar, BJP zonal vice-president, said, "The Narpani Mandram was active earlier, but members were asked to focus on election work over the past two years. We have organized this programme only for his birthday and are not expecting anything beyond that," he said. "If Annamalai decides to remain in BJP, we will return to working for the party," he added.In Pollachi, some of his supporters planted saplings while in Vellore a group of men under the banner 'Annamalaiyin Anbu Kootam' burst crackers and distributed sweets. Several BJP leaders congratulated him, despite speculations over his exit from the party. State general secretary Raama Sreenivasan shared birthday wishes on X. State president Nainar Nagenthran shared a picture of him with Annamalai.A section of BJP cadres said Annamalai would give a tough fight to TVK president Vijay if he launched a new party. The sentiment was reflected in several posters across Madurai. While none openly called for a new political outfit, many carried messages such as "Tamil Nadu's future... welcome". Some posters featured actors Rajinikanth and Ajith Kumar, often viewed as rivals of Vijay during their cinema careers.Others carried lines from a song in Rajinikanth-starrer 'Padayappa': "Vazhkaiyil aayiram thadai kallappa, thadai kallum unaku oru padi kallappa", portraying setbacks as stepping stones. Some posters also contained references to Annamalai as a film-style protagonist amid speculation that Rajinikanth could support him in future campaigns.In neighbouring Theni district, however, BJP functionaries urged Annamalai to "think again" before taking any decision to float a new party.