'With heavy heart, I have decided to step down': Third BJP leader quits Tamil Nadu unit after Annamalai's exit
The Tamil Nadu BJP suffered another setback on Friday as state secretary Sumathi Venkatesh resigned from her post and ended her association with the party, becoming the third prominent leader to quit after the exits of former state chief K. Annamalai and state vice-president Karu Nagarajan.
Announcing her decision in a post on X, Venkatesh said she had stepped down after "careful thought" and described the move as a painful one.
'Heavy heart' resignation
In her resignation message addressed to the state BJP leadership, Venkatesh said it had been a privilege to serve the party and its cadre.
"With a heavy heart, I have decided to step down from my responsibilities as State Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu, and conclude my association with the party," she said.
Despite her resignation, Venkatesh expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's ideological principles.
"I remain deeply inspired by the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and the ideals of nationalism, patriotism and service to the nation that the BJP upholds," she wrote.
This is my humble intimation to all 👃👃👃 pic.twitter.com/mHpAtDHNml
— Sumathi Venkatesh (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@SumathiVenkat18) June 5, 2026
She also thanked party leaders and workers at both the state and national levels for their support during her tenure.
No clarity on future plans
Venkatesh has not disclosed her next political move, leaving room for speculation about her future course.
Her resignation comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu BJP is grappling with the fallout from the departure of Annamalai, who had emerged as one of the party's most recognisable faces in the state.
Annamalai launches new political journey
After quitting the BJP, Annamalai announced the beginning of what he described as a new political movement aimed at promoting "common man politics".
Positioning his initiative as an alternative to personality-centric politics, Annamalai said his platform would reject sycophancy and dynastic power structures.
He has indicated that the movement would eventually evolve into a political party and contest the next Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
BJP dismisses concerns
The BJP leadership has sought to downplay concerns over the recent resignations.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran said the departures would not weaken the party.
"There will be no loss to the BJP due to his resignation. There won't be any setback to the BJP, which is the biggest party in the world. The party will remain steadfast on its ideology," he told reporters.
TVK factor in Tamil Nadu politics
Political observers have linked Annamalai's decision to the changing political landscape in Tamil Nadu, particularly the rapid rise of actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
The emergence of TVK has added a new dimension to Tamil Nadu politics, traditionally dominated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
With three senior leaders exiting in quick succession and Annamalai preparing to launch a new political platform, attention is now focused on whether more leaders will follow suit and how the BJP reorganises itself ahead of the next electoral battle in the state.
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