BJP’s Tamil Nadu leader K Annamalai has resigned from the party. BJP president Nitin Nabin has accepted his resignation. The BJP in a statement said: “The National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Hon’ble Shri Nitin Nabin, has accepted the resignation submitted by the Tamil Nadu Ex. State President, Shri K. Annamalai from the primary membership of the Party.”Annamalai had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nabin in Delhi on Tuesday. Annamalai was asked by the BJP leadership to reconsider his decision to quit the party.K Annamalai, a former IPS officer, is a former Tamil Nadu BJP president and one of its most recognisable faces in the state. He is reportedly keen pursue an independent political path.Leaders familiar with the matter said Annamalai was asked to return for further talks while he was already headed to the Delhi airport for his flight back to Chennai.The BJP’s central leadership is believed to have tried to persuade him to reconsider his decision. Earlier this week, The Indian Express reported that Annamalai had decided to leave the BJP and that his visit to Delhi was intended as a final expression of gratitude to the party leadership.Sources said Annamalai had placed two options before the BJP high command: either restore him as Tamil Nadu BJP chief with substantial autonomy and authority for a minimum of seven years, or allow him to pursue a separate political course.Party insiders indicated that he is considering launching a new political outfit in Tamil Nadu. The development comes after the recent Assembly elections, where the state’s two major Dravidian parties, the DMK and the AIADMK, suffered setbacks while actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) secured a surprise victory in its maiden electoral contest.Story continues below this adTVK subsequently formed the government with support from smaller parties, including the Congress, which had severed ties with the DMK following the elections.According to sources, Annamalai believes Tamil Nadu’s political environment still offers limited space for a national party to emerge as a dominant force. He reportedly feels that a new regional formation focused on addressing the concerns of diverse sections of society could evolve into a credible alternative in the state.Annamalai is scheduled to address a press conference later today.