Major setback for BJP in Tamil Nadu as 13 leaders quit party, join AIADMK

In a major setback for the Bhartiya Janata Party in Tamil Nadu, 13 leaders have quit the party to join the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), as per TV reports.

This comes just two days after four leaders of BJP joined the AIADMK on Sunday. The reason for their resignation was that they were unhappy with the state leadership of the party especially with the functioning of state president K Annamalai. They have accused him of using the party to form a cult around himself instead of strengthening it.

13 leaders belonged to BJP’s IT wing in Chennai West

The development comes as the State unit of the BJP accused the the Edappadi Palaniswami-led AIADMK over allegedly “poaching” its leaders.

BJP IT Wing District president Anbarasan in a statement said, “I have worked for BJP for years. People know that I have never expected any position. Considering the unusual scenario in the party for the past few days I have decided to resign from the party.”

The statement bears the signatures of 10 IT Wing District Secretaries and two IT Wing District Deputy Secretaries.

Several BJP MLAs have resigned and joined AIADMK recently

On Tuesday, BJP Intellectual Wing State Secretary Krishnan, IT wing State secretary Dileep Kannan, Trichy Rural District Vice President Vijay and State OBC Wing Secretary Ammu joined AIADMK after meeting with Edappadi K Palaniswami.

This came just days after the exit of BJP State IT Wing Chief Nirmal Kumar to AIADMK who quit the party levelling serious allegations against Annamalai.

Similarly, IT Wing State Secretary Krishnan also resigned from BJP blaming Annamalai. This has sparked a war of words on social media between supporters of AIADMK and the BJP.