Following days of intense speculation, K Annamalai officially ended his association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday after the party accepted his resignation from primary membership.

The announcement was made through an official statement issued by the BJP leadership.

The development marks a significant turning point in Tamil Nadu politics, with Annamalai scheduled to address a press conference later in the day where he is expected to outline his future political plans.

The former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer met senior BJP leaders in New Delhi on Thursday, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other members of the party's top leadership.

Sources indicate that efforts were made to persuade him to reconsider his decision, but Annamalai ultimately chose to part ways with the saffron party.

Annamalai joined the BJP in 2020 after resigning from the IPS and quickly emerged as one of the party's most prominent faces in Tamil Nadu.

In 2021, he was appointed president of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, succeeding L Murugan.

His aggressive campaigning style and grassroots outreach earned him a loyal support base, with many supporters referring to him as "Singham".

During his tenure, Annamalai played a key role in expanding the BJP's footprint in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has traditionally struggled to establish itself.

Under his leadership, the BJP significantly increased its vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, even though the gains did not translate into parliamentary seats.

His tenure was also marked by a turbulent relationship with the AIADMK. The BJP and AIADMK parted ways before later reuniting ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Political observers have long speculated that Annamalai's leadership style and growing influence were factors in the alliance's earlier strains.

After being replaced as the state BJP chief by Nainar Nagendran, Annamalai maintained a relatively low profile and did not contest the 2026 Assembly elections.

While he repeatedly dismissed reports of differences with the central leadership, speculation over his political future intensified in recent weeks amid growing public campaigns by supporters urging him to take on a larger leadership role.

With his exit now official, attention has shifted to his next move. Whether Annamalai launches a new political outfit, joins another formation, or pursues an independent political path is expected to become clearer following his much-awaited press conference.

(This is a Breaking News Story. More details awaited)