Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai Faces Police Case for Campaigning After Permitted Hours

The fight for Coimbatore has turned high profile, with the BJP fielding its state Chief. An FIR has been registered against him for unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, and causing public nuisance under sections 143, 341, and 290. Another case has been filed against the BJP based on an assault complaint from the DMK, as confirmed by a senior police officer.

DMK Spokesperson A Saravanan accused Annamalai of unleashing terror and inciting riots out of fear of defeat. He also called for the Prime Minister to address Annamalai’s actions. In response, Annamalai maintained that he did nothing wrong and questioned the legitimacy of the restrictions placed on him.

The BJP state spokesperson, ANS Prasad, argued that the cases against Annamalai were a plot to hinder his victory and accused the DMK of misusing power. The fight for Coimbatore has become high profile, with the ruling DMK fielding Ganapathy Rajkumar and the AIADMK fielding Singai Ramachandran as its candidate. Although traditionally an AIADMK bastion, the DMK alliance won the seat in 2019, sweeping the state and claiming 38 of the 39 seats.

The AIADMK has severed ties with the BJP for this poll season, leaving the BJP without a major ally.