Former Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai on Tuesday tendered his resignation from the party during his meeting with BJP national president Nitin Nabin. He also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital.

There had been intense speculation that Annamalai, who has kept a low profile since being replaced as Tamil Nadu BJP chief by Nainar Nagendran, wished to part ways with the party, with reports suggesting that he no longer saw a future in the BJP.

During a crucial meeting with Nitin Nabin and organisation secretary BL Santhosh, Annamalai submitted a five-page-long resignation letter after reportedly expressed his wish to part ways with the party on cordial terms. He told the party leadership that he wants to “chart his own course now”.

The BJP leadership was reportedly considering efforts to persuade the former IPS officer to stay, and a national role for him was on the cards. Annamalai was even asked not to leave Delhi until any further instructions. However, sources later said the BJP high command has come to terms with Annamalai’s decision