BSP Splits In Tamil Nadu: K Armstrong’s Widow Porkodi Floats New Party Amid Rift
Porkodi Armstrong, widow of slain BSP leader K. Armstrong, launched the Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj after being ousted from the BSP.
In a significant political development marking a deepening rift within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Tamil Nadu, Porkodi Armstrong, wife of slain BSP state chief K Armstrong, launched a new political outfit on Saturday. The move comes on the first death anniversary of her husband and follows her removal as BSP's Tamil Nadu coordinator earlier this year.
Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj: A Symbol Of Resistance?
The newly formed party, named Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj, was launched at a memorial event in Pothur, attended by over 1,000 supporters. The event was held under tight police security, reflecting both the emotional and political intensity surrounding the occasion.
The party unveiled its flag—a blue backdrop featuring an elephant holding a pen, symbolising its Ambedkarite values and focus on education and empowerment.
ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் முதலாம் ஆண்டு நினைவு தினத்தில், தமிழ் மாநில பகுஜன் சமாஜ் என்ற புதிய கட்சியை தொடங்கினார் அவரது மனைவி பொற்கொடி #ArmstrongBSP #PorkodiArmstrong #BSP #TNBSP pic.twitter.com/FRW6sqMFpT
— ABP Nadu (@abpnadu) July 5, 2025
In a symbolic and emotional appeal, Porkodi had earlier sought to install a full-length statue of Armstrong at his memorial site. Initially denied by police over "law and order" concerns, she approached the Madras High Court, which later granted her permission to go ahead.
Armstrong’s Killing & Its Fallout
K Armstrong, 52, was brutally murdered on July 5, 2024, near his under-construction house in Perambur, Chennai. The murder, allegedly by a gang of assailants, sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu and prompted widespread protests from Dalit and Ambedkarite groups.
So far, 27 people have been arrested, and two police encounters have occurred in connection with the case.
Internal Power Struggle In BSP
Following Armstrong’s death, the BSP leadership appointed Supreme Court lawyer P Anandan as the state president and Porkodi as the Tamil Nadu coordinator. However, by April this year, internal conflicts came to a head, leading to Porkodi’s removal from all party posts.
She had accused Anandan of undermining her position and working against her interests within the party. In a show of defiance, over 500 BSP cadres rallied in her support, confronting the leadership and demanding a change in state-level decision-making.
After weeks of tensions, the BSP high command confirmed Porkodi’s removal, prompting her supporters to break away and form the new party.
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