Some important issues related to Tamilnadu BJP have been discussed. BJP state president Annamalai along with senior leaders and state administrators conducted the meeting. The background to this is that the core committee meeting of the BJP was held in Chennai without waiting for Annamalai to return from London.
1. Annamalai’s London Trip and Return
Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai had gone to London for a three-month study program, which concluded on November 23. Despite the completion of his program, Annamalai had planned to spend an additional week in London with his family before returning to Chennai at the end of November. His trip to London and the time spent with his family delayed his return to Chennai, which has raised questions within the party about the timing of his arrival and his future plans.
2. Core Committee Meeting
The BJP’s core committee meeting was held at Kamalalayam in Chennai while Annamalai was still abroad. The meeting took place without waiting for his return and was attended by senior leaders and state officials. The main objective of this meeting was to discuss strategies for the upcoming 2024 assembly elections, with the party trying to solidify its position in Tamil Nadu, particularly with its rivals, DMK, AIADMK, and the newly formed Vijay’s party.
During this meeting, there was an in-depth discussion on several aspects, including membership drives, internal administrative issues, and the party’s approach towards alliances and adversaries. The national leadership’s dissatisfaction over unmet membership goals and the challenges in district leader appointments were also discussed.
3. Annamalai’s Planned Leadership Changes
Upon his return, Annamalai is expected to implement several changes within the state party structure. He plans to remove non-performing administrators who have not contributed effectively over the past two years. Furthermore, Annamalai aims to appoint 70% of district heads from his supporters, which is seen as a significant shift in the leadership composition of the party. His supporters have indicated that the national leadership has already approved this move.
4. Questions on Leadership and Changes
During the meeting, several leaders questioned Annamalai about potential changes within the state leadership, especially regarding his position as the state president. They asked if there would be a shift in leadership upon his return. In response, Annamalai smiled and hinted that attempts had been made to change his position, even reaching as far as Delhi, but those attempts had failed. He further stated that the national leadership had given him specific assignments and that he was aware of the ongoing efforts but had no concerns about his position.
5. Approach to DMK, AIADMK, and Vijay’s Party
The meeting also discussed how to handle criticism and strategy regarding rival parties. BJP leadership was instructed by Sudhakar Reddy, the higher-up in charge of the Tamil Nadu unit, to focus on criticizing DMK and its allies while avoiding direct confrontation with AIADMK or Vijay’s party, as no alliance was in place with these groups. Sudhakar Reddy emphasized that BJP should not create controversies or engage in negative discussions about its potential allies, but focus primarily on DMK.
However, some of the participants questioned the wisdom of this approach, especially since both AIADMK and Vijay’s party have openly criticized BJP. They raised concerns about the practicality of maintaining such a policy while rivals like Edappadi Palaniswami (AIADMK) and Vijay continue to attack BJP ideologically. Despite these concerns, Sudhakar Reddy reiterated the party’s instructions and did not offer a direct response.
6. Alliance Issues and Dilemmas
The issue of alliances with AIADMK and Vijay’s party remains a point of contention. While the BJP leadership is trying to maintain a cordial relationship with both, there are ongoing doubts about whether these alliances will materialize. AIADMK and Vijay’s party have both been critical of BJP, and many within the Tamil Nadu BJP are questioning how these alliances could work, given the ideological differences and mutual criticisms.
7. Key Question: What Is Happening at the Top?
Amid these developments, one central question is being asked within the BJP ranks: “What is happening at the top?” This refers to the uncertainty surrounding the decisions of the national leadership, especially regarding leadership changes and the party’s direction in Tamil Nadu. This question highlights the ongoing speculation about the future leadership and strategy of the party, as well as its alignment with potential allies and rivals.
These discussions indicate that the internal dynamics of Tamil Nadu BJP are evolving rapidly, with significant leadership shifts and strategic decisions likely to unfold as the state heads toward the 2024 elections.
