"It is their party's internal matter": Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai on PMK leadership change

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 10 (ANI): Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai on Thursday expressed hope that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss will work together effectively, continuing their alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and serving the people of Tamil Nadu.
His remarks come amid reports that S Ramadoss has assumed the post of the party president, and that his son Anbumani, who has been holding the post since 2022, will be its working president. The decision comes ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in the State.
Speaking to mediapersons, Annamalai said, "It is their party's internal matter. They are a strong party. It won't be appropriate for BJP to comment on this. I hope that Ramadoss and Anbumani respectfully make a good decision together. We hope they continue working with the NDA and for the people of Tamil Nadu."
Further, Annamalai said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Tamil Nadu, meet with BJP leaders of the State and take stock of what is happening in the State. "He will be here until tomorrow. He often comes to the state to get ground-level feedback. As of now, I am only authorised to say that he is coming to the state. The rest we will discuss at a more appropriate time."
Shah is slated to visit Tamil Nadu on April 10 and 11. During his stay, he will meet with party leaders and workers in Chennai to evaluate the BJP's preparedness for the upcoming elections. He will also meet with BJP leaders and NDA coalition allies in the State.
As part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign efforts, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to spend two days each month in election-bound states, including Bihar, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. These monthly visits will continue until the conclusion of the Assembly elections in all three states, with the BJP aiming to contest the polls with full strength.
In the previous two elections--the Lok Sabha and the last assembly polls--the AIADMK has struggled to perform strongly. The BJP is eager to improve its prospects in Tamil Nadu following a determined effort in the last Lok Sabha elections, where it failed to win a seat in the southern state.
The AIADMK entered into an alliance with the BJP after the passing of J Jayalalithaa in 2016.
During the 2021 state elections, the AIADMK and the BJP were in alliance, which resulted in the BJP winning four seats. However, the AIADMK severed ties with the BJP in 2023. (ANI)