K. Annamalai. File
| Photo Credit: M. Periasamy
Former BJP leader K. Annamalai, who quit the national party earlier this week, on Friday (June 5, 2026) announced the launch of a “political movement”, which is heavily inspired by the ideals promoted by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. A few hours before his announcement, the BJP said its national president Nitin Nabin accepted the resignation of Mr. Annamalai from the primary membership of the party.
Movement to evolve into party
Sharing his idea of the new political movement through social media platforms, Mr. Annamalai said it would eventually evolve into a political party at the right time, with its functionaries trained at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics in Coimbatore. All of its functionaries will be trained in the centre before they contest in any election, he said.
‘Didn’t want to be another issue for BJP’
Mr. Annamalai said there were several “issues” in the BJP, which was flagged to the national leadership “patiently” over several months before his resignation. He did not wish to become yet another issue for the party leadership. Though he conveyed his decision to part ways with the BJP on December 4 last year, Mr. Annamalai said he accepted the party’s request to stay on till the completion of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election till May 2026.
The former IPS officer said he continued to respect BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but still chose to disagree with him on certain issues with courage. He chose to meet BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah to convey his decision “eye to eye”. Maintaining he has “no animosity against the BJP,” Mr. Annamalai said he will look at the BJP just like how he saw other parties such as the DMK, AIADMK, and other political leaders.
‘No cult movement; will face next general election’
Even as he sought time from his supporters for his political movement to evolve into a political party, Mr. Annamalai said there is “no doubt that it will face the next general election” in Tamil Nadu. Sharing his ideas for his new political movement, Mr. Annamalai said the new initiative aimed at being inclusive of Gen Z, Gen Alpha, as well as the elderly. He, however, warned the initiative “will not be yet another cult movement.”
Common man politics, acting responsible on social media
The political grammar and the political language needs a change, Mr. Annamalai contended and further advocated that there is indeed space for a new political party in Tamil Nadu. “We will have to come out of cult politics. This will be common man politics, there will be no compromise on principle,” he said. He further underlined that there is a need for a “term limit” for elected representatives and “there could not be permanent MPs, MLAs, or Ministers.”
Advocating for “clean politics” with efficient and capable leaders, Mr. Annamalai said that “no chair is permanent for anybody” and that the movement should “flow like water” and the “movement should stand beyond us.” Sharing the details of a portal which was launched in 2020, Mr. Annamalai said the centre in Coimbatore was inspired by ideals of former President Abdul Kalam. Any ideology would rise and fall if it did not stay relevant to the times, he said.
His idea of the new political movement needs time to evolve, he said. Mr. Annamalai also appealed to his supporters to act responsibly on social media.
Published – June 05, 2026 01:39 pm IST
