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Chennai (Tamil Nadu), April 4, 2026:
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai on Saturday clarified that he was not denied a ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections. He said he chose not to contest.
Speaking in Chennai, Annamalai confirmed that he had informed the party leadership in writing. He added that he would now campaign for candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
According to him, the issue of denial does not arise. He did not express interest in contesting. Therefore, the party did not consider his name for any constituency. He also thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership for respecting his decision.
The clarification comes amid speculation about his absence from the candidate list. Many reports linked it to the alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Annamalai, a former IPS officer, became a key BJP leader in Tamil Nadu in 2021. He later stepped down after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Nainar Nagendran succeeded him as state president. The BJP and AIADMK renewed their alliance in 2025.
Recently, the BJP released its first list of 27 candidates. Under the alliance plan, AIADMK will contest most seats. BJP and its allies will contest the remaining constituencies.
Tamil Nadu will hold elections in a single phase on April 23. The polling will cover 234 constituencies. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.
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