'Anna' movement in Tamil Nadu BJP: Mass resignations leave party staring at an exodus

NEW DELHI: K Annamalai's exit from the Bharatiya Janata Party did not remain a standalone development for long. Within hours of his departure, Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Karu Nagarajan and 15 other party functionaries resigned, raising questions about the party's ability to contain the fallout.The resignations came despite state BJP president Nainar Nagendran's assertion that Annamalai's departure would have "no impact" on the organisation.The resignations have fuelled speculation that the BJP could face a wider exodus in Tamil Nadu, particularly among cadres and local leaders who viewed Annamalai as the party's most prominent state-level face. Signs of such loyalty were visible months earlier when posters bearing slogans such as "Our Leader, Come and Lead Us" appeared across Chennai ahead of his birthday celebrations.Annamalai's new venture has also shown signs of early momentum. His political movement, We The Leader, claimed to have attracted more than nine lakh volunteers within hours of its launch, underscoring the support base he appears to command beyond the BJP's formal structure. While Annamalai has stopped short of announcing a political party, he has outlined the principles he wants the movement to champion. "There is no permanent MLA, MP or minister. This includes myself. This is going to be our goal and motto of our political movement," he said, positioning the initiative as an alternative to personality-driven and dynastic politics. Yet key questions remain unanswered. Beyond broad promises of political reform, Annamalai has not laid out a clear ideological framework for the movement or indicated when, or if, it will evolve into a full-fledged political party.