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Nainar Nagendran, the MLA from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was the only leader to file nomination for the BJP’s top organisational post in the state
Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran | File Image/ANI
Nainar Nagendran, the BJP’s legislature party leader and a former minister, took over as the new president of the party’s Tamil Nadu unit, replacing K Annamalai.
Nagendran, the MLA from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, filed his nomination for the BJP’s top organisational post in the state on Friday. Notably, he was the sole nominee, a factor that paved the way for him to become the party’s 13th state president.
Confirming the development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X: “The Tamil Nadu BJP has received a nomination for the post of state president only from Shri Nainar Nagendran.” Shah further hailed Annamalai’s contribution to the party during his tenure as Tamil Nadu BJP president.
The Tamil Nadu BJP has received a nomination for the post of state president only from Shri @NainarBJP Ji.As the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP unit, Shri @annamalai_k Ji has made commendable accomplishments. Whether it is carrying the policies of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji to…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 11, 2025
BJP leader Nagendran’s elevation holds major political significance in Tamil Nadu, especially when the party is nearing to forge an impactful alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the state Assembly elections scheduled for next year.
BJP’s outgoing state chief Annamalai had frequently targeted senior AIADMK leaders, including MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, prompting AIADMK come out of the NDA alliance after fighting 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections together.
However, the BJP’s decision to place the Tirunelveli MLA as its new state president could now help mend ties with the AIADMK, especially with just a year to go for the crucial elections.
Who Is Nainar Nagendran?
Nagendran, a three-time MLA representing Tirunelveli, faced defeats in his attempts to enter the Lok Sabha race in both 2019 and 2024.
He began his political journey with the AIADMK, winning the Tirunelveli Assembly seat in 2001 and again in 2011.
During the 2001–2006 period, he held a ministerial post in the government led by Chief Ministers J Jayalalithaa and O Panneerselvam.
In 2017, he parted ways with the AIADMK and joined the BJP, where he gradually rose to the ranks of the party’s state vice-president.
He also shares close ties with BJP’s top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, Nagendran was seen on stage alongside PM Modi during an event in Rameswaram, where the Prime Minister inaugurated the Pamban Bridge.
- Location :
Tamil Nadu, India, India
