For BJP’s growth in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai should graduate out of the lone ranger role

K Annamalai’s tenure has brought notable improvements in communication and social media outreach.

Last month, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai staged a dramatic protest by whipping himself to highlight the shielding of an alleged rapist supposedly linked to the ruling DMK. Though poignant, the act drew ridicule from opposition parties. Nonetheless, it succeeded in bringing attention to the issue and even prompted a reaction from Chief Minister MK Stalin, showcasing Annamalai’s ability to break through Tamil Nadu’s polarised media space.

However, this incident also highlights a concern: the BJP in Tamil Nadu increasingly appears to be a one-man show, with no emerging second-tier leaders offering fresh ideas to support the party’s ambitions. Even during Annamalai’s recent study sabbatical, the state unit seemed stagnant. As Tamil Nadu gears up for elections in 2026, this talent deficit poses a critical challenge. While Annamalai’s singular prominence makes him indispensable, building a robust state unit and crafting a winning strategy require a broader talent pool.

Tamil Nadu’s political transition

Tamil Nadu’s political landscape is undergoing a generational shift. Leaders like Udhayanidhi Stalin, Seeman, Annamalai, and Vijay are poised to play significant roles in the upcoming electoral cycle. The AIADMK, with its lack of youthful leadership, risks fading into irrelevance, creating space for newer forces to capture its support base. Edappadi Palaniswami appears more like the captain of a sinking ship, especially after the 2022 party split led to a significant loss in vote share.

Annamalai envisions the 2026 elections as epoch-making for Tamil Nadu politics, with the BJP becoming a serious player in a post-Dravidian landscape. To realise this vision, he must expand not only the party’s talent pool but also its social base.

BJP’s historical weaknesses

Historically, the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu has been weak, with tenuous connections to the state’s socio-political fabric. Previous state presidents failed to capitalise on opportunities, even during the past decade when the BJP’s rise under Prime Minister Modi coincided with the vacuum left by the deaths of political giants M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa.

Annamalai’s tenure has brought notable improvements in communication and social media outreach. Yet, these advances alone are insufficient. The state unit appears to have settled into a low-level equilibrium, far from the dynamism needed to challenge established players.

Expanding the BJP’s social base

The BJP’s long-term success in Tamil Nadu hinges on shedding its image as a “Delhi party” and establishing itself as a truly Tamil Nadu-centric organisation. Historically, the BJP’s approach to social engineering in the state has been inconsistent. While it has made inroads with OBC communities like the Gounders and Nadars, its attempts to woo smaller Dalit groups, such as the Arunthathiyars, have left analysts puzzled over their electoral utility.

The BJP must aspire to become the representative of Tamil Nadu’s OBC communities. Influential groups like the Mukkulathors and Mutharaiyars could be targeted through district-level influencers rather than high-profile defections.

The Vanniyar community, previously aligned with the BJP through its alliance with the PMK, might also be receptive. Efforts to win over Dalit communities, however, require a longer-term strategy, as their support remains deeply entrenched in Dravidian ideology.

The BJP’s national strategy offers a template. Over the last three decades, the party transformed itself from what was pejoratively termes as a Brahmin-Bania outifit to a dominant OBC force. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, the BJP must focus on building a coalition of OBC castes and communities aligned with its vision.

A leadership test for Annamalai

Annamalai’s rise has infused new energy into the BJP in Tamil Nadu. His personal integrity, administrative background, and compelling rhetoric have earned him respect across political lines. However, his ability to build an effective organisation remains untested. Strong individual leaders often struggle as team builders, and this could challenge Annamalai as he works to strengthen the BJP’s grassroots presence.

His alliance-building skills have also come under scrutiny, particularly after the BJP severed ties with the AIADMK. While this may have been a tactical move to increase the BJP’s negotiating power after a higher vote share in the 2024 parliamentary elections, it remains uncertain whether Annamalai can bring strong-willed leaders of smaller parties into the NDA fold. The BJP’s central leadership must back him with experienced strategists skilled in alliance-building and organisational development. Without such support, Annamalai’s potential risks being underutilised, and the BJP’s growth in Tamil Nadu could stagnate.

Strengthening the party’s grassroots

For BJP supporters in Tamil Nadu, the time has come to demand more from Annamalai. He must prioritise actionable goals, such as preparing a comprehensive list of 500 potential candidates—about two per constituency—for the 2026 elections. This “Mission 2025” should include BJP members and capable recruits from other parties, particularly at the district level, where organisational strength is critical.

With the AIADMK weakening and DMK workers disillusioned by dynastic politics, disgruntled functionaries at the district level may be open to switching allegiances. Rather than focusing solely on alliances with smaller parties or high-profile leaders, the BJP should recruit capable grassroots organisers. These mid-level leaders, often overlooked, are key to strengthening the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu. Annamalai’s “En Mann En Makkal” Yatra could have provided valuable touchpoints for such an initiative.

Challenges and opportunities 

Annamalai’s honeymoon period as BJP chief is nearing its end. With his tenure set to conclude in 2026, he must demonstrate measurable progress, such as increasing the BJP’s vote share to at least 15 percent in the next elections. Achieving this requires a combination of organisational efficiency, social engineering, and strategic alliance-building.

Tamil Nadu’s demographics could work in his favour. With a median age of 37, the state’s younger voters are less entrenched in traditional Dravidian ideologies, offering fertile ground for fresh narratives and icons. However, Seeman and Vijay are also targeting this demographic. Annamalai’s charisma alone cannot convert voter interest into electoral success. The road ahead demands more than fiery speeches and headline-grabbing protests.

The path forward

The BJP’s supporters must evaluate Annamalai on metrics that impact organisational growth, moving beyond admiration for his rhetoric. While social media presence plays a role in shaping perceptions, sustainable political success requires backbreaking grassroots work. The slow, long-term nature of political change complicates matters, but greatness demands an exacting price.

As Tamil Nadu transitions into a new era of young leaders, the BJP has a unique opportunity to redefine itself. Whether Annamalai can rise to the occasion and leave a lasting legacy will depend on his ability to focus on party building and grassroots engagement—tasks that may not yield immediate rewards but are essential for lasting impact. As the famous Michael Phelps ad says, “What you do in the dark puts you in the light.”