Reflecting on his differences with BJP leadership, the rise of Vijay’s TVK, the decline of traditional political formations, and his vision for a new political culture in Tamil Nadu, ‘We, The Leaders’ founder K Annamalai outlines an ambitious roadmap centred on governance, grassroots leadership and institutional renewal. In his first exclusive interview to Jaya Menon after quitting BJP and launching his new movement, Annamalai spoke candidly about the political journey that took him from a celebrated BJP state president to the author of an independent political movement. He also discusses alliances, electoral outcomes, and his long-term plans for reshaping Tamil Nadu politics.How will you sum up your political journey in BJP? I joined BJP on August 25, 2020. It was a great journey. I remain a strong nationalist and believe in India’s unity, while also believing states should independently compete and grow. I had many responsibilities which helped me grow, evolve as a better human being. I will be always grateful to BJP for giving me those opportunities.Why did you decide to quit BJP?For nearly one-and-a-half years, I was reflecting on the best way to serve people. I felt we were losing focus. In BJP, I felt, the pathway to leadership in Tamil Nadu was stuck for many people. There was a bit of divergence, vision mismatches. I believe a party should stand on its own legs, cultivate grassroots leaders and put Tamil Nadu first. I wanted younger leaders to emerge and felt the state unit needed a clearer long-term direction.What were the vision mismatches?The first was decision-making. Tamil people feel decisions are made from Delhi. For the sake of Tamil Nadu, I don’t think that is good politics. Second, I wanted Tamil Nadu to get the attention it deserves. Third, each state individually should have strong regional grassroots leaders, so that India remains strong as a plural nation. I have no complaints against BJP, but I often felt constrained. I now want to build a movement where social justice and pluralism are central. When did the idea for a new movement emerge?My fellowship in Oxford in Sept-Oct-Nov 2024 gave a lot of time for me to look politics from an academic perspective. I spent time studying democracies across the world and reflecting on why young political movements are growing. The period after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections gave me time to think deeply about the future of politics. I felt my time was up in a national policy framework.In December 2025, I discussed my thoughts with the party. They felt it was not the right time to take an independent decision. I respected that. But finally, on June 1, I went to Delhi. I said politely that I disagreed with their viewpoints. So, it’s better for me to go and create something independent with a group of people.How did BJP leadership react?I continue to respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders. I had long discussions with the leadership. I said, when I want to walk out, I want to walk out with dignity. I will not write an email or issue a statement from Tamil Nadu. So, my resignation has to be accepted. And that is why the party has also accepted my resignation. Then I walked out. Of course, they tried to persuade me to stay, but I argued my case.
Did Vijay’s rise influence your decision?No. I have always supported new people entering politics. Sometimes you need a cult or a cinema star with a very strong cinematic sense to break certain things that were holding politics back — money power, caste equations. I am very happy that Vijay’s TVK has broken that. Charisma, however, can only take politics so far. Tamil Nadu needs governance centric, evidence-based leaders coming, getting elected, standing before people and taking politics to the next level. Were you unhappy in BJP?My position was clear from 2022. I believed BJP should grow independently in Tamil Nadu and maintain its own identity. I never supported AIADMK coming in (into NDA for 2026 assembly election). Then the party, which wanted me to contest, couldn’t find me a seat. I obeyed the party as a karyakarta, but over time I felt strategic mistakes accumulated. Tamil Nadu politics, in my view, cannot be driven by decisions taken far away from the state.What helped Vijay win the election?Anti-incumbency against DMK was so strong, one of the reasons for Vijay’s victory. The groundwork against DMK govt had already been laid. I expected Vijay to do well, though I did not expect such a large vote share. Kongu region gave him a major late surge that proved decisive.Why did DMK lose? The DMK govt was very corrupt. It was perceived to be corrupt and felt to be corrupt.How do you assess the TVK government so far? Give Vijay one year. He is new to governance and deserves time to establish himself. We can offer constructive criticism and guidance, but he should be allowed the space to govern.What about horse-trading allegations? The moment you see power, you forsake all principles. It shows what level the root is rotten in Tamil Nadu politics. People who campaigned against Vijay suddenly joined him after the election. Such developments hurt democratic culture and force unnecessary by-elections.Why did AIADMK lose?The writing is on the wall. Leaders have to adapt, change to circumstance, be more flexible, have this proper spirit of friendship and cooperation and alliance. The voter profile has changed. Young voters think differently. Politics has changed, political parties have to change, otherwise they are doomed.
In a letter to BJP national president, you said you wanted to bring about a positive change to TN. What kind of politics do you want to build through We, the Leaders?I want politics that is evidence-based, governance-focused and positive. We will have term limits, age limits and post limits. Politics should not revolve around one leader for decades. It should be a movement that continuously renews itself with younger leaders and fresh ideas. Politics should be a free flow of ideas and a movement. Like our old Tamil saying, ‘Pazhaiyana Kazhithalaum, Puthiyana Puguthalum’, the old order changes, yielding place to new. Annamalai right now, 20 years from now Annamalai will be stale.You said national parties do not speak the language of Tamil Nadu. Does that include BJP?Yes, 100%. National parties don’t speak language of Tamil Nadu. That is my very genuine criticism of all parties, including BJP. Language is not merely translation. It is culture, social fabric and understanding how a state functions.What will your relationship with BJP leadership be like going forward?This is an independent organisation. We will support India’s foreign policy and national security interests irrespective of who is in power. Relationships (with Modi and Amit Shah) will continue to remain civilised relationship, but not a friendly relationship.Some people say RSS or BJP are behind your move.I disagree. By leaving BJP, I had more to lose than gain. My future actions and the conduct of this movement will be the best answer to such speculation.When will We, the Leaders become a political party? Will it contest the upcoming byelections?Byelections is not our game. It is for somebody doing murky dealings. For a movement to become a political party, it’s a process. We currently have nearly 19 lakh members. Once we reach 50 lakh members, we can begin a political conversation. We want to launch Abdul Kalam fellowship for young political leaders, groom them, guide them for a year, take care of their expenses, give them that financial freedom to go to grassroots, experience the joy of service.Is your ultimate goal to become chief minister?I do not think politics should revolve around one person. If there is somebody better suited for a role, that person should take it. If you remember the seven cardinal sins Mahatma Gandhi mentioned – politics without principle, money without work…. We want to bring a change to this culture. Probably, people will like it and give us an opportunity, come 2031 or whenever election happens.Will you align with another party?As of now I don’t see that we will merge with somebody, mingle with somebody, have a deal with somebody, an alliance with somebody. It is a difficult path, but we want to offer a genuinely fresh political alternative.Who is your political enemy?Bad political culture is our enemy. We want politics centred on ordinary people and democratic values.Do you see yourself aligning with Vijay in the future?We are against any degrading political culture. We are very different from TVK. We are very different from Vijay’s model of politics.What role did you play in bringing T T V Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam into the NDA fold?I am one person, who continuously pushed for Dhinakaran and Panneerselvam to be a part of an extended NDA. Dhinakaran is a person with whom I share valuable friendship. It is unfortunate what happened to OPS. That will always haunt me. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I made my misgivings very clear to the party when OPS joined DMK.Would a BJP-AIADMK-TVK alliance have worked? If AIADMK-BJP-TVK alliance had happened, I would say DMK would have come back to power. This election showed that people saw chemistry more than arithmetic.Vanathi Srinivasan recently described you as an experiment for BJP. So, how did the experiment work for BJP?That is for BJP to say. I can very proudly say Annamalai was always Annamalai within BJP. I remained a strong nationalist and someone committed to making Tamil Nadu number one.BJP invested heavily in you. Any regrets about leaving?No regrets. I gave my best to BJP and BJP gave me opportunities. I think it’s a fair compromise where the party gave me an opportunity and I also did my best as a kariyakartha.
Are you Indian first or Tamilian first? I am an Indian first always. But I am proud to be a Tamilian. I have lived and worked across India and always put my Indian identity first. At the same time, I want Tamil Nadu to become the best-performing state in the country. Where do you see yourself one year from now? I honestly do not know. What matters is that people should see We, the Leaders as a movement building a healthy political culture and laying the foundation for a better future for Tamil Nadu.
