‘We The Leaders’ chief mentor K. Annamalai addressing the Drug-Free Tamil Nadu conference at Achipatti near Pollachi in Coimbatore district on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: S. SIVA SARAVANAN
Tamil Nadu would witness a change in 2031 similar to the one seen in 2026, said ‘We The Leaders’ chief mentor K. Annamalai on Sunday (July 12), asserting that the organisation’s predominantly young membership would drive the transformation.
Addressing the ‘Drug-Free Tamil Nadu’ conference organised by We The Leaders at Achipatti near Pollachi in Coimbatore, Mr. Annamalai said the organisation was not driven by an obsession with political power but by a commitment to social transformation and would champion “healthy and ethical politics” while working towards building a developed Tamil Nadu.
He said the organisation would be guided by the principles of true social justice, stable economic growth, agricultural development and the promotion of Tamil identity.
Maintaining that We The Leaders was not a family-run outfit, Mr. Annamalai said he, too, was only a volunteer within the organisation. He added that the organisation was not working against any political party or the ruling TVK-led government.
Stating that the TVK-led government had secured the people’s mandate in the 2026 Assembly election and that many ministers were first-time office-bearers, he said: “We should support the government when it stumbles. We are not here because of an obsession with political power. We are here to build a developed Tamil Nadu.”
He said We The Leaders would not resort to indiscriminate criticism of the government or individuals. “Our motto is not to ask what the government should do for us, but what we should do to change society,” he said.
Mr. Annamalai said the organisation had enrolled more than 19 lakh members within 38 days of its announcement and had already crossed nearly 50% of its target. “We are not forcing anyone to join. We are confident of reaching 50 lakh members, after which the organisation can establish itself as a political party for social good,” he said.
Outlining the organisation’s roadmap, Mr. Annamalai said August would be observed as ‘Environment Month’ and September as ‘Women’s Safety Month’ with volunteers engaging in year-round awareness campaigns and community service activities.
Describing it as a youth-driven organisation, he said 83% of its members were men and 17% women, and 54% were below the age of 39. Of them, 14% belonged to the 18-25 age group. “We are a young organisation. There will certainly be change by 2031 because of this young population,” he said.
Mr. Annamalai said the organisation would continue to observe July every year as a month dedicated to anti-drug awareness, as combating substance abuse was “a process, not an event.” Claiming that substance abuse was a contributing factor in several crimes against women and children and many road accidents, he said law enforcement agencies alone could not eradicate the menace. “The police can arrest drug traffickers, but they cannot arrest everyone who intends to buy drugs. Society itself has to change,” he said.
Drawing a contrast with the previous DMK regime, he alleged that political rivals had faced restrictions in the past and cited an instance in which electricity supply to a private college was allegedly disrupted for a week after he had addressed a programme there.
Referring to what he described as the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to de-freeze around 3,000 acres of temple land in Karur, Mr. Annamalai said he had opposed the move and supported efforts to safeguard temple properties. He claimed that his stand had led to him being branded “anti-Hindu”. “I am a Hindu. But when I step out of my home, I step out as an ordinary citizen who believes in equality,” he said.
Mr. Annamalai also announced that the organisation would establish an A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre of Excellence on October 15, 2026. Turning to the State’s finances, he alleged that the TVK-led government would borrow nearly ₹80,000 crore every year, taking Tamil Nadu’s outstanding debt to ₹14 lakh crore-₹15 lakh crore by the end of its tenure. “There is no alternative for the present government other than borrowing. We will change this once we come to power,” he said.
Responding to questions over his decision to leave the BJP, Mr. Annamalai said he had chosen to pursue a broader social mission. He said he remained a nationalist and was proud of it, adding that his goal was to make Tamil Nadu the country’s leading State. He also rejected allegations that the organisation was the “B-team” of the BJP.
We The Leaders would seek to end personality-centric politics and create opportunities for dedicated grassroots workers to emerge as future ministers and MLAs, he said.
Published – July 12, 2026 09:43 pm IST
