Chennai: Around 13 functionaries from Tamil Nadu quit BJP to join AIADMK, an alliance partner of the national party in the state, on Wednesday. All 13 members were part of BJP's IT wing in Chennai West.
In a statement, BJP IT Wing District President Anbarasan said, "I have worked for BJP for years. People know that I have never expected any position. Considering the unusual scenario in the party for the past few days I have decided to resign from the party."
The statement also had 10 IT Wing District Secretaries' and two IT Wing District Deputy Secretaries' signatures.
The move of the IT team comes after BJP IT Wing Chief Nirmal Kumar quit the saffron party and shifted to AIADMK after placing allegations against Annamalai. Later, IT Wing State Secretary Krishnan also resigned from the party on the same lines. Krishnan also blamed Annamalai.
On Tuesday, BJP Intellectual Wing State Secretary Krishnan, IT wing State secretary Dileep Kanna, Trichy rural district vice president Vijay and State OBC Wing Secretary Ammu joined AIADMK.
Following this, the state BJP had been accusing Edappadi Palaniswami-led AIADMK of alleged 'poaching'.
Earlier, Annamalai told ANI, "Some four BJP leaders have joined, it's an unfortunate state in Tamil Nadu where Dravidian politicians who think that they run big parties want to poach from BJP and grow their party. That only shows BJP is growing."
"Likewise, some 4-5 people from AIADMK have joined the press meet. It is an ongoing issue where people will join and people will leave. Whoever thinks that wherever they'll get green pasture, they will go. We can't stop them. Party will grow with committed worker," he said.
On the other hand, AIADMK MLA Semmalai said that AIADMK and BJP contested the previous Assembly election together but they contested separately in the local body election. So, he said that it cannot be assumed that the alliance will continue.