With Union Minister Amit Shah reportedly stating that former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai could be given a national role in the party in addition to play a key role in Tamil Nadu, there is speculation that he may be elevated to the post of national general secretary. Weighing in, Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy said national office-bearers would be appointed only after the national president was selected. “The party believes that Annamalai is worthy of it,” he said.

Mr. Thirupathy added: “BJP is not like other regional parties. Nobody will be left alone and nobody will be treated as an exception.”