Nagenthran heaps praise on Annamalai

Despite overwhelming calls for BJP leader K. Annamalai to stay on as the party’s State unit president, the party’s floor leader in the Assembly, Nainar Nagenthran, was elected as the president of the State unit.

Addressing a public rally in Vanagaram, Mr. Nagenthran acknowledged the contribution of previous State presidents such as Pon. Radhakrishnan, C.P. Radhakrishnan, Tamilisai Soundararajan, L. Ganesan and L. Murugan in ensuring the party’s growth in Tamil Nadu. He further said: “Through the En Mann, En Makkal Yatra, Annamalai has installed a kalasam on top of the gopurams. Our work, now, is to perform a Kumbabhishekam. We will do it in May 2026. Thamarai [lotus] will bloom in Tamil Nadu…,” he added.

Stating that he had been given a big post in the party, Mr. Nagenthran said: “I do have a fear. Mr. Annamalai has a distinct style. I have a separate style. If he is a cyclone, I can only be a breeze…”

Mr. Nagenthran further said that everyone had to work together to send the DMK government packing. “Concentrate on your booths. I will soon speak to district presidents. Mr. Annamalai has been walking without slippers, and I appeal to him to wear them. He said he will start wearing them only when the DMK is removed from power. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation for the NDA’s victory in the State. The time has been marked, and there will be a change in the government in May 2026,” he added.

Mr. Nagenthran, who has completed eight years in the BJP, said, “I know that in three years, I have to pass it on [the post of the president]. In the next three years, I have to ensure a change in the government….”

Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, BJP national secretary Arvind Menon and Mr. Annamalai participated in the meeting. Mr. Annamalai said there was only one goal before the NDA.

The NDA has become bigger, and has been strengthened in Tamil Nadu. This has sowed seeds of hope. We are introducing a new president to guide us for the next three years, and ensure that the DMK is removed from power. When there is only one goal, it is possible that there will be a speed-breaker. This speed-breaker is only to check if we are on the right path,” he added.

Ms. Soundararajan said, “Kalaignar [former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi] once said ‘Nellai is always our problem’. A problem for the DMK has arrived from Nellai. He has taken charge to end the DMK’s rule,” she said, referring to Mr. Nagenthran.