BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai on Sunday said 48 lakh “verified members” joined the party in the first phase of its membership drive.

At a function in Tiruchengode to announce the newly elected 33 presidents of party’s district units, he said that the drive was being held in two phases to enrol one crore members. The party had the phone numbers and addresses of its new members. Mr. Annamalai urged the cadre to work hard to ensure that the BJP came to power in the State in 2026.

He further said that though the State government said it “needed 10,000 schools to enhance education”, it was not supporting the PM-SHRI schools initiative of the Centre.

He further said that caste violence and crimes against women were increasing in the State, and at the Pongal celebrations organised by the police in Chennai, chain-snatchings were reported.