Annamalai defends Vijay government, takes indirect swipe at attacks on Trisha | WATCH

Former BJP leader K Annamalai has come out in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, asking the Opposition to give the newly formed government a year before judging its performance. In remarks that also appeared to take aim at the recent targeting of actors and women in politics, Annamalai said he would be the first to criticise the government if it failed to deliver.

“There is a new government in power. I want to say, give them a year’s time,” Annamalai said while addressing an environmental awareness gathering in Chennai.

Annamalai argued that the new government was still finding its feet, pointing out that a large number of its MLAs were entering the Assembly for the first time. He said the Opposition should focus on allowing the government to work rather than trying to bring it down immediately.

“If they are wrong, I will be the first one to criticise them,” he said, adding that the government was handling some issues well while falling short on others.

Annamalai said the Opposition appeared interested only in “toppling the ruling government” and argued that such an approach was not the right way to assess a newly elected administration.

“Leave them for a year,” he said.

His comments come as the new TVK government faces scrutiny from its political opponents, with Annamalai choosing to draw a distinction between holding the government accountable and attempting to destabilise it.

He also praised Vijay's stated position against corruption, while alleging that some ministers in the new government had already started seeking kickbacks in government tenders.

Annamalai claimed that he had audio recordings to support the allegation, saying some ministers were allegedly demanding percentages from contractors. He urged Vijay to keep tighter control over his ministers and officials.

“You stated in your Independence Day address that corruption would be eradicated in our lifetime. Tighten the reins on ministers and officials with regular weekend review meetings,” he said.

Annamalai said his organisation would formally raise the alleged issue after the government had completed its initial period in office.

‘We are not here to scold or criticise some actress’

Annamalai's remarks also appeared to address the growing political attacks involving actors and women, without naming any particular actress.

“We are not here to scold or criticise some actress,” he said.

Taking aim at what he described as abusive political rhetoric, Annamalai criticised politicians for allegedly attacking actors and actresses from public platforms and making remarks about their parents and personal lives.

“Climbing on stage and abusing actors, actresses, speaking wrongly about father and mother... all this politics has come to an end,” he said.

He also criticised what he described as defamatory and malicious remarks targeting women, particularly when such comments were presented as double-meaning wordplay.

“Gen Z and millennials do not like such politics. They are looking for different politics,” Annamalai said.

The remarks come amid a series of controversies surrounding political attacks involving actors, including Trisha, who has been targeted amid the ongoing political tensions surrounding the TVK government. Trisha was also seen at major public events involving Vijay, including his swearing-in and Independence Day events.

While Annamalai did not name Trisha in the remarks provided, his comments about attacks on actresses and the nature of political discourse appeared to push back against such personal targeting.

Annamalai says his organisation will not seek to destabilise TVK government

Annamalai, who recently launched the grassroots leadership movement ‘We The Leaders’, reiterated that the organisation was not seeking to destabilise the newly elected government.

He said the government should be given time to function and that his organisation would be ready to criticise it if it failed to perform.

Apart from the TVK government, Annamalai also reiterated his opposition to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu reservoir project on the Cauvery river.

He urged the Centre to address recurring NEET question paper leaks and called on the Tamil Nadu government to use budgetary savings for rural water rejuvenation, government school infrastructure and development.

With agency inputs