K Annamalai clarifies his stand on CJP, saying he does not support the party but defends its right to protest (Img: X)
New Delhi: K Annamalai has clarified that his criticism of the Centre’s action against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters should not be seen as support for the outfit. The former Tamil Nadu BJP chief said his political approach and the party’s agenda were different, while stressing that democratic rights must be protected.
Speaking at an event organised by his ‘We the Leaders’ movement on Thursday, Annamalai said he did not endorse CJP but believed every political party had the right to oppose the government within a democratic framework.
“We never support the Cockroach Janta Party. Their agenda is different and ours is different,” he said, reiterating his position amid criticism from his former party.
The controversy follows Annamalai’s criticism of the October 10 police action against CJP protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“அறம் செய்ய விரும்பு” என்பதே நமது @WTLFoundation அமைப்பின் தாரக மந்திரம்.
அரசியல் பின்புலமில்லாத பெண்களையும் இளைஞர்களையும் தலைமைத்துவத்திற்குக் கொண்டுவருவதுமே நமது நோக்கம்.
தாரகை திட்டத்தின் கீழ், ஏற்கனவே இணைந்துள்ள 8 மகளிர் சுயஉதவிக் குழுக்களுடன், அடுத்த 6 மாதங்களில் மேலும் 25 மகளிர் குழுக்களை உருவாக்கி, பெண்களுக்கு நிதிச் சுதந்திரம் அளித்து, அவர்களைச் சுயசார்புடையவர்களாகவும் தலைவர்களாகவும் உருவாக்குவோம்.
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) October 22, 2026
He condemned the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka and questioned the Delhi Police’s handling of the protests. Annamalai maintained that if the protesters had violated the law, authorities should take action through established legal procedures rather than resorting to what he described as a vindictive approach.
He also argued that allegations involving threats to national sovereignty should be investigated by the appropriate agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, instead of being amplified through social media.
Annamalai praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work but maintained that support for the prime minister would not prevent him from questioning government decisions.
He cited Modi’s response to the police crackdown on anti-corruption protesters at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan in 2011, questioning why similar scrutiny of the present government had led to arrests and detentions.
Annamalai also asked whether the BJP’s criticism of CJP was giving the group additional publicity, pointing to a cockroach effigy burnt during Dussehra celebrations at a Delhi Ramlila event led by BJP MLA Ashok Goel.
Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy criticised Annamalai’s remarks, arguing that they blurred the distinction between peaceful protest and deliberate law-breaking. He added that Annamalai, who left the BJP in June 2026, was free to criticise the party.
The exchange highlights growing tensions between Annamalai and his former political colleagues as he builds his independent political initiative.
