‘Already informed the core committee’: Annamalai breaks silence on not receiving BJP ticket in TN

Chennai: BJP National Executive Member K Annamalai broke his silence on Saturday regarding his exclusion from the party’s candidate list for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.

Speaking to the media he said, “I had already informed the core committee in writing that I would not contest from any constituency. So, it is not that I was denied a ticket; the truth is that I decided not to contest.”

He added that, “I am grateful to the BJP leadership for respecting my decision and giving me the opportunity to campaign in support of the NDA alliance candidates.”

Annamalai’s statement comes a day after the BJP announced its candidates for Tamil Nadu, with senior leaders like Tamilisai Soundararajan (Mylapore), Vanathi Srinivasan (Coimbatore North), and Union Minister L. Murugan (Avinashi) being fielded, while Annamalai’s name was notably absent from the list.

Political observers noted that this decision surprised many, given Annamalai’s pivotal in promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies and taking BJP projects to villages across the state.

Despite not contesting, Annamalai reiterated his commitment to the party and the NDA alliance while speaking to the media in Kannur, Kerala. “Right now, the party has given me the responsibility to campaign in Puducherry and Kerala till the 7th (April). From the 7th to the 23rd, I have to campaign for all BJP and NDA candidates across Tamil Nadu. That is the responsibility given by the party to me. I'll be fulfilling that responsibility,” he said.

The Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026 are scheduled in a single phase on April 23, covering 234 constituencies, with vote counting set for May 4.

With ANI inputs