(Image source from: Economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Posters with Annamalai's image and the statement, "Fearless minds gave no limits," have shown up all over Coimbatore, sparking rumors that the former head of the Tamil Nadu BJP is getting ready to start a new political party. This news comes as the BJP is having its state central committee meeting in Coimbatore, while Annamalai is currently overseas. Supporters of Annamalai mentioned that his organization, Annamalai Anbu Koottam, is welcoming new members and leaders. So far, Annamalai has missed two state central committee meetings, adding to the speculation about his political path. Annamalai has not yet commented on this situation. However, a tweet from Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has intensified the rumors, where he mentioned, "Another political party in TN seems to be on its way, and things are speeding up. (MS- there is an interesting reasoning behind the suggested name). " As rumors increase about Annamalai starting a new political party, sources informed India Today that the BJP leader is set to meet BJP president Nithin Nabin in Delhi.
This recent situation arises amidst clear disagreements Annamalai has shown with the Centre regarding its three-language policy. Last week, Annamalai asked the Union Education Ministry to take back its recent announcement that demands three languages for Class IX students starting this academic year and to stick to its previous plan to put this rule into place from the 2029-30 academic year. On May 15, 2026, the CBSE sent a notice to all affiliated schools stating that a third language would be compulsory for Class IX students beginning July 1, 2026, moving up a deadline that was initially set for 2029-30. In a post on X, Annamalai noted that this decision surprised many parents, especially in Tamil Nadu, since their children had already chosen a language in Class VI. He mentioned that the updated notice now expects Class IX students to learn three languages, two of which must be from India, starting July 1, 2026. "Requiring a Class IX student to pick up a new language on such short notice will only stress kids and negatively impact their overall learning," he stated.
Annamalai mentioned that in April 2026, when the CBSE declared that students in Class VI would need to learn three languages, with two having to be Indian languages, he was one of the supporters of this choice. He believed this decision would allow kids to better understand the wide range of literature in India. He also highlighted that the same announcement from April 2026 clearly indicated that Class IX students in CBSE schools would only need to learn the third language starting from the 2029-30 school year. Emphasizing his request, the former BJP state leader stated, "I urge the Ministry of Education to cancel this announcement and keep its earlier promise to include three languages, with two being Indian languages, for Class IX students beginning in the academic year 2029-30." Nevertheless, this was not the only concern. Annamalai's relationship with the AIADMK became strained before the Assembly elections, reportedly resulting in his removal as the BJP state leader at the request of the ally. His contentious comments about CN Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa only worsened the situation.
A mix of reasons – his disagreements with the Central government regarding the language policy, his troubled relationship with the AIADMK, and his noticeable absence from important BJP meetings – has kept the talk about Annamalai's political journey ongoing.
It is still uncertain whether the posters and events of the Annamalai Anbu Koottam indicate the start of a new political group or are simply a show of support from his followers, as the former BJP state leader has not yet publicly commented on the situation.
