CHENNAI: BJP state president K Annamalai said actor Vijay’s political entry might not dent the prospects of BJP in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport on Sunday, Annamalai said Vijay appeared to echo the ideologies of Dravidian parties. Hence, the votes polled by the two Dravidian parties (DMK, AIADMK) would be divided into three henceforth, he said. On the other hand, the nationalistic votes were getting consolidated in favour of BJP, he said. “We are not scared of anyone. BJP is strong in TN,” he said. This is Annamalai’s first interaction since his return to TN after a three- month education programme at Oxford.
Annamalai said he welcomed the entry of Vijay, because now people of Tamil Nadu have more options. When pointed out that Vijay had indirectly attacked the BJP, Annamalai said BJP leaders have responded to Vijay’s views.
“I will respond to his remarks when he gets into active politics,” he said.
“He is a big star. But politics is a different ball game. One needs to be active on the ground 365 days of the year. How often has he stepped out into the field after his first conference,” Annamalai asked.
On Udhayanidhi Stalin‘s elevation as deputy chief minister, Annamalai said the move has shown that DMK’s talent pool has shrunk and the party always depended on one family.
Fast tracking of Udhayanidhi’s elevation clearly shows that DMK was not following a democratic model and anything that is not democratic would disintegrate, Annamalai said. “So 2026 will be the end of dynastic politics in TN,” he said. On the other hand, the Maharashtra assembly election victory demonstrated the enormous popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP too would benefit from that popularity in 2026 elections. “We would ride on the wave of Modi’s popularity and probably NDA would form govt in TN in 2026,” he said.
Nevertheless, Annamalai said they would wait and watch the performance of Udhayanidhi as deputy CM. “We will criticise wherever required and appreciate whenever needed,” he said.
To a query, Annamalai ruled out alliance with Naam Tamizhar Katchi in the 2026 polls. and said “NTK chief Seeman’s path is different from ours.”
On electricity minister V Senthil Balaji’s reinduction into TN cabinet after release from prison, Annamalai said DMK and Aam Aadmi party are the only parties that reward corruption. “TN CM is celebrating Senthil Balaji’s release from the prison as if he was a Gandhian. People of TN are watching. They will respond appropriately,” he said.
Later, Annamalai at a conclave in Coimbatore discussed the pros and cons of tungsten mining in Madurai and highlighted job creation and displacement issues, criticising political opposition. Annamalai also criticised the state’s delayed objection to the project and discussed the Sterlite plant closure’s impact on copper imports