BJP TN Chief Race Heats Up As Nominations Begin Tomorrow; 3 Key Contenders In Fray – Details

The political spotlight has turned sharply toward this transition particularly due to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Chennai on Thursday night. Discussions are also underway regarding a potential revival of the alliance with the AIADMK.

Against this backdrop, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai earlier confirmed that he is not in the race for a second term. Stressing that the next state president would be chosen unanimously, Annamalai reiterated his commitment to serving the party in any role it assigns to him. On the other hand, a prominent frontrunner—Nainar Nagenthran—along with Annamalai is facing scrutiny due to a clause in the BJP’s bylaws, which requires candidates to have served in the party for at least 10 years to be eligible for the state president’s post.

Yet, the possible contenders for the post of TN BJP chief:

Vanathi Srinivasan: Experienced Female Contender

Vanathi Srinivasan is also being seen as a strong potential candidate. A seasoned lawyer and a sitting MLA from Coimbatore South, she currently serves as the national president of BJP’s Mahila Morcha and has been a member of the party’s central election committee since 2022.

Her notable victory in 2021 against actor Kamal Haasan brought her widespread recognition, and her longstanding association with the party makes her a viable choice—especially if the BJP decides to promote a woman leader in the state.

Nainar Nagenthran: Grounded In Political Experience

Nainar Nagenthran brings years of political experience to the table. A former minister in AIADMK governments led by J Jayalalithaa and O Panneerselvam, he currently leads the BJP’s legislature party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Having joined the BJP in 2017 after a long stint with the AIADMK, he has been serving as the party’s vice president since 2020.

Though Nagenthran is seen as a seasoned leader with a strong base and his rapport with AIADMK leaders, some voices within the RSS reportedly favour a candidate with deeper ideological roots in the BJP.

Ananthan Ayyasamy: The Technocrat With A Rural Vision

Ananthan Ayyasamy represents a fresh and unconventional face in the state’s political landscape. With a career spanning over two decades in the semiconductor industry in the US, he brings deep technical expertise and a global perspective. As BJP’s Tenkasi district president and head of the party’s startup cell in Tamil Nadu, Ananthan champions rural innovation and digital empowerment.

Through his foundations—Voice of Tenkasi and Voice of Tamil Nadu—he envisions transforming villages into technologically self-reliant hubs.

Other Probable Names In The Mix

Apart from the main contenders, Union Minister of State L Murugan and former Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, who have previously served as TN BJP chiefs are also being discussed.