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NEW DELHI: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Sunday outlined the roadmap for his newly launched movement, “We The Leaders”, asserting that “religion is outside the scope of this organization” and reiterating that it would eventually evolve into a political party.Speaking at the ‘Drug-Free Pollachi Awareness Conference’ organised by the movement in Pollachi, Annamalai said the initiative would focus on governance and public responsibility rather than religion.“Religion is outside the scope of this organization. Our politics is focused on making Tamil Nadu a leading state. Responsibility is our identity. We the Leaders is set to transform into a political party. The transition will take place at the appropriate time.”‘I am a Hindu, but when I step out, I lock up my caste and religion inside my house,’ said Annamalai at Pollachi rally.He also said the movement was not being built through membership drives but as a collective platform for people.“I have not invited anybody to join the movement. I am one among you in ‘We The Leaders.’ We should plan to plant 50 lakh trees over the next six months,” he said.Highlighting the composition of the organisation, Annamalai said women and young people make up a significant share of the movement and predicted that Gen Z would play a decisive role in Tamil Nadu’s political future.“There are 17% women’s in our movement. 14% of them are from 18-25 years. 54% persons are below the age of 35. There will be a big change in 2031 elections. Gen Z had made a change in 2026 election, they will make another change in 2031 also,” he said.The remarks come weeks after Annamalai formally quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move that altered the party’s political equations in Tamil Nadu.He had submitted his resignation to BJP president Nitin Nabin before unveiling “We The Leaders”, describing it as an initiative aimed at fostering a new or parallel political culture in the state.His resignation from the BJP came after a strong setback to BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026.
