BREAKING: Nainar Nagendran elected as Tamil Nadu BJP chief (WATCH)

Nainar Nagendran

Nainar Nagendran, a senior BJP leader and three-time MLA from Tirunelveli, has been appointed as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu unit, succeeding K. Annamalai. Nagendran, who joined the BJP in 2017 after a long tenure with the AIADMK, was the sole nominee for the position.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran elected as the president of Tamil Nadu BJP unit; former state unit president K Annamalai congratulates him

"We know our goal and path, we will uproot DMK from Tamil Nadu with the strongest NDA alliance in the upcoming… pic.twitter.com/fnEmB4ukXC

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025

His nomination was proposed by Annamalai and endorsed by senior leaders, including Union Minister L. Murugan and former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan.

Nagendran has previously served as the BJP's legislative party leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and held ministerial portfolios such as Transport, Electricity, and Industries during his time with the AIADMK.

The task ahead for Tamil Nadu BJP’s newly appointed chief, Nainar Nagendran, could be eased by the party’s renewed alliance with the AIADMK. Nagendran had previously won the Tirunelveli Assembly seat in 2001 and 2011 on an AIADMK ticket.

His elevation is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the BJP's organizational structure and prepare for the 2026 state elections.

The party aims to leverage Nagendran's experience and regional influence to broaden its appeal across Tamil Nadu. His appointment also signals the BJP's intent to consolidate its position in the state and potentially rekindle alliances with parties like the AIADMK.