Nainar Feigns Ignorance on Annamalai Quitting BJP
Nagenthran dismisses reports of resignation or a new party by Annamalai.
Tirunelveli: Amid mounting speculation over the political future of former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, state BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran has maintained that he had no information whatsoever about reports suggesting that the former IPS officer was planning to quit the party and launch a new political outfit.
Speaking to reporters at Tirunelveli on Thursday, Mr Nagenthran conveyed his birthday greetings to Mr Annamalai. Asked whether the party leadership had received any indication about Mr Annamalai floating a new party, he said, "He has not spoken to us about starting a new party, nor have we questioned him on the issue. We have only been discussing party work as usual."
Moreover, dismissing reports that Mr Annamalai had resigned from the BJP, Mr Nagenthran said that, as the Tamil Nadu state president of the party, he had not received any resignation letter from the former state chief. "No such communication has reached me so far," he said, attributing the controversy largely to speculations by media that, according to him, blew things out of size.
When pointed out that Mr Annamalai had recently told reporters in Chennai, before departing for Delhi, that he would clarify his position in detail within a couple of days, Mr Nagenthran responded curtly, saying, "If he has said so, you should only ask him about it."
Mr Nagenthran's attempt to distance himself from the swirling speculation comes even as political chatter surrounding Mr Annamalai's next move has intensified across the state. Posters purportedly put up by his supporters in Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and parts of the Kongu belt have already begun welcoming the launch of a new party and hailing him as its leader, lending further momentum to the rumours.
Several of Mr Annamalai’s supporters have publicly alleged that sections of the state BJP leadership, including Nainar Nagenthran, were responsible for the differences that reportedly emerged between Mr Annamalai and the party establishment.
