BJP’s plans for Annamalai

In the State of Tamil Nadu notorious for its anti-Hindi and anti-Brahmin mindset, the BJP sees a ray of hope in Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP President. 

The former-cop turned politician is a You Tube sensation and what especially has endeared Annamalai to the people of the nation is his spirit of nationalism.

Annamalai believes that the people of Tamil Nadu were nationalistic too until the emergence of demagogues like Periyar and parties like DMK. 

While everyone is aware of the sufferings of the Brahmins in Kashmir where they became refugees in their own homeland, equally vicious, vulgar and prejudiced was the attack on them in Tamil Nadu by Periyar and the DMK. 

It’s just that nobody speaks about it. Putting the nation ahead of petty regional considerations, Annamalai has endeared himself to one and all. 

For the first time, the people of Tamil Nadu are opening up to the rest of India and seriously listening to the BJP. 

The Hindus of that State are also pleased with the Ram Mandir construction and further titling them towards the saffron Party are the irresponsible and derogatory remarks being made by the DMK and its leaders like Udayanidhi Stalin.  

Is it any wonder then that Narendra Modi is visiting Tamil Nadu so many times?

But what exactly are the BJP’s plans for Annamalai? The latter is contesting for the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore which the BJP had actually won twice in the past. 

One theory doing the rounds is that Annamalai after the elections might actually be inducted in the Union Cabinet or given a prominent role in the Party at the Central level. 

Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Governor of Telangana is contesting from Chennai South and after the elections, there is a possibility that she might replace Annamalai as the State BJP President. Why?

The BJP is contesting from nine places and there is no alliance with AIADMK, which quit in September. 

In future, at least, the BJP would need support from AIADMK to make its presence felt in Tamil Nadu. But the main leadership of AIADMK is not on good terms with Annamalai and they are far more comfortable with someone like Tamilisai. 

Keeping these factors in mind, the BJP might move Annamalai to the Centre. But then, everything would obviously hinge on how BJP fares in the elections. 

Any substantial increase in its vote percentage from the 3.66 percent it got in 2019 would indeed be a huge morale boost to the Party. Can Annamalai be that catalyst? We shall soon know!