Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: BJP releases list of 27 candidates, Annamalai’s name not included

By Samira Vishwas On Apr 4, 2026

Chennai, 3 April. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday released the list of 27 candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Interestingly, the name of former state party president K. Annamalai is not in this list. Annamalai had reportedly refused to contest the elections after her ally AIADMK expressed unhappiness with the constituencies given to the party.

Union Minister Dr. L. Candidate from Murugan Avanashi seat

Despite Annamalai’s exclusion, the BJP has fielded several senior leaders and former governors to carry forward its campaign in certain areas. Among the most important names is Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan is involved. He has been made the candidate from Avanashi seat, who is counted among the prominent Dalit faces of the party.

Former Governor Dr. Tamilisai Sundararajan will contest from Mylapore.

Whereas former Governor Dr. Tamilisai Sundararajan has been made the candidate from Mylapore. Vanathi Srinivasan, sitting MLA and Mahila Morcha national president, will leave her previous Coimbatore South seat and contest from Coimbatore (North).

The Central Election Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party has finalized the following names for the upcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/1pVxlz73Cy
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 3, 2026

State BJP chief Nainar Nagendran is contesting from Sattur seat for the first time. Recently S left Congress and joined Bhaja. Vijayadharani will contest from her stronghold Vilavancode. Elections will be held in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, April 23 and the election results will be declared on May 4.

The party has given me the responsibility of campaigning: Annamalai

Meanwhile, BJP National Executive member K. in Kannur, Kerala. Annamalai said, ‘…in this election, my role is to campaign for the candidates all over Tamil Nadu. Right now, the party has given me the responsibility to campaign in Puducherry and Kerala till the 7th. From 7th to 23rd I have to campaign for all BJP and NDA candidates across Tamil Nadu. The party has given me this responsibility. I will fulfill that responsibility.