Sat Apr 12 02:10:26 UTC 2025: **BJP Re-ups Alliance with AIADMK, Annamalai’s Future Remains Unclear**

CHENNAI, INDIA – Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed Friday that K Annamalai remains the Tamil Nadu president of the BJP, despite swirling rumors of his removal. Shah’s statement came during a press conference announcing the renewal of the BJP’s alliance with the AIADMK, dismissing speculation that Annamalai’s ouster was a precondition for the renewed partnership.

“This is not true at all. Mr. Annamalai is the state president even today,” Shah declared, gesturing to Annamalai, who was present at the conference.

The announcement followed the unopposed nomination of Nainar Nagendran, the current vice-president, as the BJP’s sole candidate for the Tamil Nadu president post. Nagendran’s nomination was proposed by Annamalai and other senior party leaders, including former Union Ministers L Murugan and Pon Radhakrishnan.

While Shah praised Annamalai’s “unprecedented” contributions to the party in Tamil Nadu and announced that his skills would be leveraged nationally, he declined to comment on whether Annamalai would be given a central-level role, saying, “Leave a few things to our party as well.”

Although the BJP hasn’t seen significant electoral gains in Tamil Nadu under Annamalai’s leadership since 2021, he is widely credited with increasing the party’s visibility in the state. Prior reports suggested that AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami had demanded Annamalai’s removal as a condition for renewing the alliance, citing concerns about Annamalai’s attempts to overshadow the AIADMK and criticisms of AIADMK leaders. Palaniswami, however, appeared unconcerned during the press conference. The future role of Annamalai within the BJP remains a subject of ongoing speculation.

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