Amid BJP rift buzz, TN's Annamalai says he'll clarify position in two days

Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai on Monday addressed speculation about whether he would launch a new political party, saying he would make his position clear within two days. The remarks come amid rumours of discontent within the BJP, triggered by his opposition to the CBSE's decision to implement the three-language policy.

Before heading for Delhi, he told reporters at the airport that he would provide answers and make his stand clear in two days.

"Please wait. We will sit down and talk in two days," he told reporters when pressed about the buzz that he is heading to the national capital to meet party chief Nitin Nabin, as he planned to quit the party.

The former state president's opposition to the recent CBSE's announcement on implementing the three-language policy for Class 9 students from the current academic year, and his demand to roll back the notification, fuelled speculation that he was opposing the Centre as he was getting geared up to launch his own party.

The former IPS official who played a crucial role in roping in TTV Dhinakaran and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for the 2021 Assembly election has been maintaining a low profile after the party high command replaced him with Nainar Nagenthran and revived the electoral pact with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Assembly election.

Though the party members from the Coimbatore region expected him to contest in the 2026 Assembly election, he later clarified that he opted out of the race.

However, post poll after the NDA's dream of making the Lotus bloom in large numbers and form the first NDA government in the state was shattered by Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, there were rumblings within the saffron party over the state leadership. The BJP had managed to win only one seat in the recently held election.

A source in the BJP said that Annamalai was unlikely to quit the party as he may be given a bigger role to play.

But some of his supporters in Coimbatore favoured the former state president to float a new party as an alternative to the TVK.