Annamalai Praises NTK For Getting Good Vote Share With New Symbol And Without Money Power

On 5 June 2024, the Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai held a press conference following the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. He addressed reporters with the same determined tone as before, revitalizing the party cadres who significantly increased the party’s vote percentage to double digits. During the press meet Annamalai commended the Naam Tamilar party for its integrity in the political arena, noting that it did not resort to financial incentives or alliance.

In the recent Lok Sabha election, the DMK alliance emerged victorious in all 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. However, BJP candidates managed to surpass AIADMK in several constituencies, securing the second position. The Naam Tamilar Party also made significant strides, earning state party status for the first time by securing 8.2 percent of the votes. The BJP’s vote share in Tamil Nadu has risen to 14 percent, bringing the combined vote percentage of the Naam Tamilar Party and BJP to approximately 22 percent. Prior to elections, there were a few verbal exchanges between the leaders of the BJP and the Naam Tamilar Party, which Annamalai addressed.

In a conversation with reporters in Chennai, Annamalai pointed out a 6 percent difference in the votes received by the DMK in 2019 and 2024, attributing this increase to the BJP. He also expressed his admiration for the Tamilar party. Despite ideological and political disagreements, the Tamilar party demonstrated honesty in their approach. They fielded candidates in all 40 constituencies and participated in the elections without a basic structure. Without any alliances, they managed to secure votes under a new symbol.

Annamalai stated, “I appreciate Naam Tamilar party at this time, because even though we and them had tough arguments on the basis of political ideology, they have stood honestly in the field and have not bribed voters with money, I’m appreciating it.” Annamalai emphasized the need to communicate a message through the Naam Tamilar party, stating that Tamils have begun to move away from Dravidian politics. Annamalai continued, “Naam Tamilar Party has stood in Tamil Nadu elections without a basic structure by bringing candidates everywhere, so I don’t want to blame someone for the sake of blaming. That too they have stood alone without alliance, they have stood in a new symbol, they have stood in a new symbol before the election. So, as far as Naam Tamilars ​​are concerned, they are also telling a message in Tamil Nadu that the people of Tamil Nadu have started to come out of Dravidian politics.” 

Moreover, Annamalai acknowledged the challenges they faced on the field and their efforts to propagate their ideology among the people. He urged not to draw comparisons between him and Seeman. While the BJP secured more votes, Annamalai stated that he would not question whether the Tamilar Party would dissolve. He appreciated Seaman for his political honesty and his commitment to his path.