In March 2023, CTR Nirmal Kumar resigned from the BJP and joined AIADMK in the presence of the then interim AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. A statement from the former Tamil Nadu BJP IT wing chief suggested that TN BJP Chief Annamalai wielded significant influence in the party.
"BJP is traveling on the path of disaster due to its one-man show attitude," the letter read.
CT Nirmal Kumar also blamed Annamalai for his decision and accused him of "ill-treating" BJP party workers. This was one of the many instances that signalled the growing rift between BJP and AIADMK. On Monday, AIADMK eventually severed its four-year-long ties with BJP and quit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The decision, however, was not taken overnight and trouble was brewing within the alliance from 2021 after former IPS officer K Annamalai was made the Tamil Nadu BJP president.
After taking charge of the state BJP, Annamalai started to portray BJP as the "big brother" in the alliance and it did not augur well with AIADMK. Initially, he stated that he wouldn't endorse Palaniswami as the CM candidate. Later, Annamalai, as per Times of India, said, "NDA will win all 39 seats, but what matters is which party within the alliance wins them? All seats are going to Modi aiyya."
Furthermore, several statements Annamalai made against Dravidian leaders agitated the Opposition leaders in the state.
Smoldering Discontent: Factors That Led to the Alliance Break
In February, AIADMK and BJP contested separately in Erode East Assembly bypoll as they were unable to reach a consensus on seat sharing. The BJP also proposed AIADMK factions led by Edappadi Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam to work together. However, EPS rejected the move to make any comprise with Panneerselvam. Later, EPS became the sole leader of AIADMK.
On March 8, 13 functionaries from the IT wing of BJP quit the saffron party to join AIADMK. Soon, Annamalai accused the Edappadi Palaniswami of allegedly “poaching” their leaders.
In the same month, Annamalai undermined AIADMK supremo late Jayalalithaa, and faced the wrath of AIADMK. Annamalai said his wife was 100% more powerful than Jayalalithaa, as reported by India Today.
In another instance, Annamalai said that Tamil Nadu was one of the most corrupt states in India and since several administrations were corrupt, it resulted in the conviction of former CMs. AIADMK and Paneerselvam condemned Annamalai for his vile attack.
Amid the continuous slugfest between the two parties, AIADMK leader Semmalai warned that neither it should be assumed that AIADMK was in alliance with BJP nor that the alliance would continue. He told ABP Nadu, "One cannot assume that AIADMK and BJP alliance will continue. The alliance decisions are taken before the election so it cannot be assumed that we are in an alliance nor we are breaking the alliance dharma."
Addressing reporters, former TN minister and AIADMK leader D Jayakumar said Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda should answer the question on the alliance. He said Annamalai's conduct had been "unacceptable", reported Times of India.
However, the BJP continued to claim that their alliance remained strong.
Last week, EPS met Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed a range of issues, including 'one nation, one election' concept.
The last blow to the alliance came just a day after EPS' meeting with the BJP leadership. Taking part in a protest over Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's comments on the need to "eradicate Sanatan Dharma", Annamalai said Annadurai insulted Hinduism in 1956 in Madurai. He said that Annadurai had to “hide” after his remark and he was able to leave Madurai only after apologising to Muthuramalinga Thevar.
Against this backdrop, Jayakumar said party workers would not tolerate any affront to the late Chief Minister and announced that there was no alliance between BJP and AIADMK "as of now".
Yet, Annamalai said there was no problem between AIADMK and BJP and they had a "common thread" -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After Jayakumar’s statement, both parties held parleys and all eyes were fixed on EPS.
EPS Takes Jaya's Route?
After Jayalalithaa's demise, significant changes occurred within the AIADMK. From the alliance of Sasikala-OPS to OPS-EPS, the AIADMK joined hands with BJP once again after several years for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. However, the alliance suffered a severe defeat and were also routed in the Assembly polls. Nevertheless, they did not break the alliance.
On Monday, AIADMK officially broke ties with NDA just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The decision was reached after a majority of party workers agreed during a pivotal meeting presided over by party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami held at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai.
In this political context, EPS's choice to sever ties with BJP echoes the path previously taken by Jayalalithaa, said a report on ABP Nadu. However, whether this decision will prove to be correct remains to be seen in the forthcoming elections.