Annamalai says he is not in the race for the party’s president post
“I will continue to be a cadre. I came to politics to fight against corruption, and I wouldn’t compromise in that resolve,” he said to the media in Coimbatore.
BJP national general council member K Annamalai
COIMBATORE: In a significant development, BJP state president K Annamalai on Friday clarified that he is not in the race for the post of the party’s new president.
“I will continue to be a cadre. I came to politics to fight against corruption, and I wouldn’t compromise in that resolve,” he said to the media in Coimbatore.
Delving further into the issue, Annamalai said, “However, the new president would be chosen unanimously by everyone without any contest. That’s why I said I am not in the race for president.”
Replying to a query if he would be accommodated in the Union cabinet, the BJP leader said, “I will not leave this soil. Even if I go to Delhi, I will return the same night.”
He refused to comment on a query whether AIADMK’s insistence with the party’s national leadership is the reason behind his decision to step down from the president's post. “As a cadre, I will continue my work to form a good government in Tamil Nadu. Should people get trapped in this cruel DMK regime for another five years?” he asked.
On DMK’s opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill, the BJP leader slammed Chief Minister MK Stalin for creating unnecessary fear among minorities. “Even parties that are not part of the NDA alliance have voted in favour of the bill. Currently, the 39 lakh acres of land under the Waqf Board generates revenue of only Rs 126 crore. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK functionaries have grabbed properties belonging to the Waqf Board,” he said.
On President Droupadi Murmu rejecting Tamil Nadu’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test exemption request, Annamalai said Stalin’s drama over NEET has come to an end.
“He will now convene an all-party meeting to enact a new drama. I challenge him to approach the Supreme Court over the issue. He will never do that as the Supreme Court was instrumental in bringing the entrance exam,” he said.
The BJP leader said there will be arrests by the ED in Tasmac raids, and hence, the DMK wants the cases to be shifted to another state. “Why isn’t Stalin asking to shift the disproportionate assets case against 13 ministers to the neighbouring state?” he asked.
