Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai revealed his departure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and introduced a new political entity named ‘We the Leaders’. Annamalai expressed his intent for the new party to participate in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He cited a personal mission as the driving force behind his decision to leave the BJP.
Annamalai highlighted his initial goal of bringing positive change to Tamil Nadu and enhancing the lives of its residents when he joined the BJP. However, he disclosed his shift to a different political direction. The former IPS officer informed BJP leadership of his decision to exit the party in December 2025, with senior leaders requesting him to stay until after the Tamil Nadu election before officially resigning.
Stressing his respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Annamalai mentioned his disagreements with the BJP on various matters over the past 18 months. He emphasized his belief that the BJP should independently contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, indicating his opposition to the alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Annamalai emphasized his desire to avoid causing issues for the BJP and hence chose to move forward with his new political endeavor. He launched ‘We the Leaders’ and declared intentions for both himself and the party to participate in the upcoming state elections. Describing his political journey as a solitary endeavor, he aimed to carve a distinct path while upholding Tamil Nadu’s identity and aspirations.
