Annamalai cites father's health, says no to poll work in six TN seats

CHENNAI: Four days after BJP named leaders to head the party’s election work in the 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, its former state president K Annamalai said he would not be able to carry out the responsibility in the six assembly constituencies assigned to him.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore on Tuesday, Annamalai attributed his father’s health condition for his decision. “I want to be with my father, who is undergoing treatment in Coimbatore. I have conveyed my decision to state president Nainar Nagenthran,’’ he said. Annamalai was assigned the constituencies of Singanallur, Madurai South, Virugambakkam, Karaikudi, Srivaikundam and Padmanabhapuram.


Annamalai said he would still campaign if the BJP high command instructs him. “Whatever the party asks me to do in the next phase of campaigning, I am ready. Whatever work the party assigns — for the party, alliance and candidates including those of AIADMK — I will do,” he said. When asked if he would contest in the election, Annamalai said the party would decide on it. “There is still time for that. There are another 30 to 40 days,” he said.

His announcement triggered a buzz that he was unhappy with the party allocating him work without consulting him. When a reporter referred to the video of a ‘nihilist’ penguin walking alone towards the mountain and asked why Annamalai was shying away from elections, he said sometimes it was not a mistake to be like that penguin.

BJP sources said a few other BJP leaders had also conveyed their discontent over the allocation of election duty. The party has drawn a list of 72 leaders and allotted two to six constituencies each. The list includes party seniors such as Pon Radhakrishnan, L Murugan, Tamilisai Soundararajan and Vanathi Srinivasan. The leaders felt that the seats allotted to them were not clustered, and were spread across the state, posing logistical challenges, especially if they are candidates too.

“This decision was taken without consulting state leaders. We conveyed our concerns to Nainar Nagenthran. We expect a revised in-charge list soon,” a senior BJP leader said.

Nagenthran said the decision was taken by the party’s core committee. He said the six segments allotted to Annamalai would be reassigned to other leaders. However, he denied reports that the entire list was set to be revised.