K. Annamalai, the current Tamil Nadu BJP president, has put an end to all the rumors swirling around about whether he’ll stay in the top spot. While talking to journalists at Coimbatore airport, he made it crystal clear that he’s stepping away from the competition for the state leadership role. Alongside this big announcement, he also took some time to share his thoughts on the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill and the heated debates over Waqf Board land issues that have been making headlines.

Annamalai didn’t hold back his enthusiasm for the Waqf Amendment Bill, which got the green light in Parliament not too long ago. He described it as a game-changer, saying it’s a “boon for poor Muslims” who’ve been waiting for something like this. He wasn’t shy about calling out other political parties in Tamil Nadu either. According to him, these groups have been stirring up trouble by spreading confusion about the bill and even organizing protests to rally people against it. He believes they’re missing the point entirely and making a mess of things for no good reason.

In his words, “The Tamil Nadu BJP welcomes this amendment bill. As usual, political parties here are trying to mislead people. It is our duty to clearly explain this law”. He stressed that his team is determined to set the record straight and help everyone understand what this new law is really about. To back up his point, he shared some eye-opening numbers about how much land the Waqf Board controls across India. He explained that over a long stretch from 1913 to 2013, the board had 18 lakh acres under its name. But in just the last 12 years, from 2013 to 2025, that figure has jumped to a massive 39 lakh acres—an increase of 21 lakh acres in a short time. That’s a huge leap, and it’s got people talking.

He went on to give a real-life example to show why this matters. “There is a lot of confusion surrounding Waqf Board properties. For example, in Tiruchendur, only one town was originally with the Waqf Board, but temple lands have now been added. This has caused unrest among the people. The Central Government has a duty to resolve this, and the new law provides that solution”, he said firmly. In places like Tiruchendur, what started as a small piece of land under the Waqf Board has grown to include temple properties, leaving locals upset and uncertain. Annamalai sees the new law as a way to sort out these disputes and bring some peace to communities caught in the middle.

“I Am Not in the Race” – Annamalai on BJP Leadership Change

With all the chatter about a possible shake-up in the Tamil Nadu BJP leadership, Annamalai decided to tackle the rumors head-on. He was blunt and to the point when he told reporters, “I am not in the race for the new state president. You will run a news today tomorrow saying Annamalai went to Delhi, Annamalai pointed to him, Annamalai did not point to him. I do not want to get into any such gossip. I am not in the race”. His tone was calm but firm—he’s tired of the back-and-forth speculation and just wants to put it to rest. No guessing games, no drama, just a straightforward message: he’s out of the running.

When the conversation shifted to whether the on-again, off-again alliance between the AIADMK and BJP had anything to do with this leadership shuffle, Annamalai kept his cards close to his chest. “I do not want to comment on that. According to me, this party should be good—a party where good people and good souls can be found. Many have sacrificed their lives to develop this party. For me, ensuring the party’s growth is the priority. I will have more to say when the new state president is chosen”, he explained. He didn’t dive into the details or point fingers. Instead, he shifted the focus to what really matters to him—keeping the BJP strong and full of dedicated folks who care about its future. He promised to share more once the new leader is picked, but for now, he’s keeping his thoughts on the alliance under wraps.

“Only After Annamalai, People Noticed BJP In TN”: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Makes Surprise Praise

In a twist no one saw coming, Karti Chidambaram, the Congress MP from Sivaganga, had some unexpected kind words for Annamalai during a recent interview. It’s not every day you hear a Congress leader giving a shoutout to someone from the BJP, so this caught a lot of attention. Karti didn’t beat around the bush—he said that love him or hate him, Annamalai has managed to put the Tamil Nadu BJP on the map in a way it never was before. He compared Annamalai’s time as leader to the days of past BJP figures like Tamilisai Soundararajan, Pon Radhakrishnan, and C.P. Radhakrishnan, pointing out that back then, the party didn’t get nearly as much notice from the public.

This surprising praise has been spreading like wildfire, especially with all the talk about a possible leadership switch in the Tamil Nadu BJP. Karti’s comments have added a fresh layer to the story, showing that even across party lines, people are taking note of the mark Annamalai has left. His words have sparked conversations online and off, with many wondering what this means for the BJP’s future in the state as it gears up to name a new president.

Tamil Nadu Congress Struggles in Tamil Nadu

Karti Chidambaram, the Congress MP from Sivaganga, didn’t sugarcoat things when he talked about how his party is doing in Tamil Nadu. He laid it out plain and simple: the Congress isn’t exactly winning hearts these days, sitting somewhere around fifth or sixth place when it comes to voter support. He took a hard look back at the last decade and pointed out that since 2014, no one’s really checked how strong the party is on its own. Without that independent test, he figures the Congress has either stayed where it was or slipped a bit—there’s no way it’s grown much, he said. For Karti, the party’s wins have only come because of partnerships with other groups, and he’s frustrated about that. He wants the Congress to stand tall on its own again, but he’s not holding his breath that the leaders in charge will shake things up anytime soon.

In his own words, “Today, my honest assessment, as far as I am concerned, is that the Congress party is the fifth or sixth (most significant) party in Tamil Nadu. This is a debatable point because we have not contested independently, and our true vote strength has not been tested since 2014. It is likely at that level or has declined slightly, but it could not have grown significantly. Given the crowded political landscape, what does the future for the party? We cannot offer great hope. We are winning solely by relying on alliances, and I wish for that to change. It does not have to be me who does this—someone else can do it. However, I don’t see anyone else thinking outside the box or make the necessary effort”. Karti’s voice carried a mix of disappointment and realism as he spoke. He knows Tamil Nadu’s political scene is packed with players, and he’s worried the Congress is just blending into the background. He’s ready to see someone—anyone—step up with bold ideas, even if it’s not him, but he doesn’t see that spark in the party right now.

When he zoomed out to look at the bigger picture, Karti explained how parties in Tamil Nadu have climbed to the top in the past. It’s all about carving out your own space, he said, not just tagging along with others. He brought up actor Vijay, who’s recently jumped into politics with his own party. Vijay’s got a huge fanbase from his movie days, but Karti noted it’s his big, dramatic statements that have really gotten people talking. Then there’s the BJP—Karti circled back to how it only started turning heads in Tamil Nadu after Annamalai came into the picture. Before him, leaders like Tamilisai Soundararajan, Pon Radhakrishnan, and C.P. Radhakrishnan tried their best, but the party barely made a ripple. Karti didn’t stop there—he took a jab at his own side, saying the Tamil Nadu Congress is missing the kind of lively, straight-talking leaders who can grab attention and connect with people.

He put it bluntly: “Whether we like it or not, I am ideologically opposed to the BJP, but it was only after Annamalai’s arrival that people started noticing the party. When Tamilisai, Pon Radhakrishnan, or C.P. Radhakrishnan were in charge, the party did not attract much attention. People want energetic and outspoken leaders, and being candid is an added advantage. That kind of energetic candor has not been displayed by anyone in the Tamil Nadu Congress for a long time”. Karti’s not a fan of the BJP’s politics, but he can’t deny Annamalai’s impact. He thinks voters are drawn to leaders who bring energy and aren’t afraid to speak their minds—something he feels his party’s been lacking for way too long.

Looking ahead, Karti’s not super hopeful about the Congress bouncing back in Tamil Nadu. He admitted he’d love to shake things up himself and bring some fresh energy to the table, but he doesn’t think the party’s higher-ups will hand him the reins. The way he sees it, the political game in Tamil Nadu is getting tougher every day, and the Congress has a steep hill to climb if it wants to get back in the spotlight.

Vijay Lacks Ideological Clarity, Mirrors Dravidian Politics

Switching gears, Karti Chidambaram turned his attention to Vijay, the famous actor who’s now trying his hand at politics. He didn’t mince words—Vijay’s new party doesn’t have a clear direction yet, at least not in Karti’s eyes. Sure, Vijay’s got some ideas starting to come together, but Karti pointed out that they look a lot like the same old Dravidian playbook everyone else in Tamil Nadu follows. For instance, Vijay’s against things like the National Education Policy (NEP), which isn’t exactly a unique stance around here. Still, Karti gave a nod to Vijay’s star power—his years on the big screen and loyal fans have given his political entry some serious momentum.

Karti broke it down like this: “Today, Vijay has also launched a party, but its ideological clarity is still lacking. Some positions are beginning to take shape, but it is clear that their politics fully align with Dravidian ideology. They are opposing schemes like NEP and delimitation in line with all major political parties. They have not introduced any different approach or any distinct ideology”. He sounded a bit skeptical as he spoke, like he’s waiting to see if Vijay will bring something new to the table. For now, Karti sees Vijay’s party as just another voice echoing the usual Dravidian lines—against national policies, against change, but not offering any fresh ideas to shake up the conversation. Even so, there’s no denying Vijay’s got a head start with his fame and fanbase, which are keeping his name buzzing in Tamil Nadu’s crowded political world.