Nainar Nagendran looks set to lead TN BJP ahead of 2026 Assembly polls

Ending weeks of suspense, the BJP's central leadership in Delhi has confirmed that both Nainar Nagendran and K Annamalai are eligible to contest for the Tamil Nadu BJP chief position.

It appears that the 10-year continuous membership requirement does not apply to Annamalai, the sitting TN BJP president, and Nagendra, the legislative party leader.

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However, with Annamalai publicly opting out of the race and reportedly not filing his nomination, the decks are clear for Nagendran, the Tirunelveli MLA, to take the helm.

Old ties with AIADMK

Nagendran has filed his nomination, with an executive committee member’s support. This comes as the BJP steps up its efforts to strengthen ties with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where Nagendran’s influence in southern Tamil Nadu and his past association with the AIADMK could prove pivotal.

Nagendran, a three-time MLA who joined the BJP in 2017 after a long stint with the AIADMK, has been a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu politics. His roots in the influential Thevar community make him a strategic choice for the party.

The BJP’s decision to waive the 10-year membership rule—previously a point of contention, as Nagendran has been with the party for only 7.5 years—signals the party's keenness to set the house in order before the Assembly elections.

Central role for Annamalai?

Annamalai, the outgoing state president, confirmed earlier that he would not seek to continue in the role. “I am not in the race for the state president post,” Annamalai told reporters in Coimbatore last week, adding that he would continue to serve the party as an ordinary worker.

The BJP high command is reportedly looking to accommodate him at the Centre, possibly as a minister, to ensure his political relevance.

The leadership transition comes at a critical juncture for the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Chennai on Friday has heightened anticipation about a possible electoral patch-up with the AIADMK.

Binding force for alliance

The AIADMK, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), has reportedly sought Annamalai’s removal as a pre-condition for its return to the NDA fold, a demand rooted in past tensions. Annamalai’s critical remarks against AIADMK icons like CN Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa did not go down well with the Dravidian party.

Nagendran, with his AIADMK background and reputation for pragmatism, is seen as a figure who can mend these ties.

Also read: Did Annamalai become BJP's trump card to appease EPS?

His tenure as a minister under AIADMK governments, handling portfolios like electricity and industries between 2001 and 2006, may give him the experience and rapport needed to negotiate with EPS's camp.

Challenging road ahead

However, Nagendran’s likely appointment is not without challenges. His past association with the AIADMK, while an asset for alliance talks, has raised concerns among some BJP members who fear it could alienate the party’s core base.

Additionally, a 2010 disproportionate assets case, where the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed a chargesheet against Nagendran and his family for allegedly accumulating ₹3.9 crore in assets beyond his known income, could resurface as a point of contention.

Critics within the party also point to his decision to file a nomination for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections before official approval, questioning his discipline. Despite these hurdles, Nagendran’s ability to maintain support among minority communities in Tirunelveli and his electoral success—he won the 2021 Assembly election by a margin of 23,107 votes—make him a formidable candidate.

Eyeing electoral gains

The BJP has historically struggled to make inroads in Tamil Nadu. The party’s vote share rose to over 11% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a significant increase from 3.5% in 2019, largely attributed to Annamalai’s aggressive campaigning and grassroots mobilisation.

Also read: EPS-Shah meet ignites speculations of revival in BJP-AIADMK ties in TN

However, the failure to win any seats, coupled with the AIADMK’s exit from the NDA in 2023, underscored the need for a stronger coalition. Nagendran’s appointment could pave the way for a reunited BJP-AIADMK front, which analysts believe could dominate three to four regions of Tamil Nadu, challenging the ruling DMK’s stronghold.