'Not in race or list': Annamalai on TN polls
What's the story
Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai has clarified that he is not contesting the upcoming elections. He was not included in the party's list of probable candidates for the April 23 elections. "I am not in the race or list," Annamalai said, adding that his current responsibility is to campaign for BJP and NDA candidates in Puducherry and Kerala till April 7, and from then till April 23 in Tamil Nadu.
Campaign duties
Annamalai to attend closed-door meeting of senior BJP leaders
The BJP has given Annamalai the responsibility to campaign in Puducherry and Kerala till April 7, and then in Tamil Nadu till April 23. He will also attend a closed-door meeting of senior BJP leaders from the state core committee today, NDTV reported, citing sources. The meeting will include Prime Minister Narendra Modi and about 10 senior leaders to discuss the upcoming election. This comes after his return from Kerala, where he was campaigning.
Decision explained
Probable candidates list did not contain my name: Annamalai
Annamalai has clarified that he had informed the core committee in writing about his decision not to contest from any constituency. He said, "Even the list of probable candidates sent to the high command for approval did not contain my name. So, it is not that I was denied a ticket." He had also communicated this decision to Tamil Nadu BJP election in-charge Piyush Goyal and national general secretary B L Santosh.
Gratefulness expressed
Expresses gratitude to BJP leadership
Annamalai has expressed his gratitude to the BJP leadership for respecting his decision and allowing him to campaign for NDA candidates. He sees the upcoming meeting with PM Modi as a chance to interact with him. Earlier, during his campaign in north Kerala, Annamalai had posted on the social media platform 'X' saying he would campaign for all winning BJP and other NDA candidates with an aim of winning 210 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.