Mass Appeal Alone Can’t Win': Khushbu Sundar’s Jibe at Annamalai Stirs Tamil Nadu BJP

Chennai:Actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar has stirred a fresh debate within the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit, asserting that “mass appeal alone cannot win elections.” The statement is being widely interpreted as a pointed reference to former state president K. Annamalai and his leadership style.

Khushbu, who currently serves as a state vice-president, made the remarks during a recent interview at a time when the party is gearing up for the 2026 Assembly elections. Her comments have not only caused a flutter in party circles but also drawn sharp reactions from Annamalai’s supporters, who credit him with the BJP's increased visibility in the Dravidian heartland.

‘Mass alone cannot ensure victory’

Responding to the perception that the BJP’s vote share surged primarily after Annamalai took the reins, Khushbu argued that electoral success must be viewed through the lens of the organization rather than individual popularity.

 “Mass appeal alone cannot ensure victory. If that were enough, Annamalai could have won in his own constituency,” she said, adding that the party's collective triumph is the only metric that matters. “I am saying the party should win. Whether an individual wins or loses is secondary—the party must win. That is what is most important.”

Rejecting the ‘Before and After Annamalai’ narrative

Khushbu also explicitly dismissed the growing narrative that the Tamil Nadu BJP’s history can be divided into “before Annamalai and after Annamalai.” She reminded the current cadre that the party’s foundation was laid during much leaner years by veterans who faced social and political isolation.

She cited leaders such as L. Ganesan, Pon Radhakrishnan, and Tamilisai Soundararajan as the architects who built the organization from the ground up.

“Even when the party received fewer votes than NOTA, Tamilisai Soundararajan continued to work for the BJP. People mocked her at times, but she stood firm and worked tirelessly,” Khushbu noted, emphasizing that the party's current growth is a cumulative result of decades of labor.

The actor-turned-politician stressed that several leaders, including H. Raja, C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Vanathi Srinivasan, remained committed to the ideology even when the BJP struggled to find a foothold in the state.

Addressing the current leadership under Nainar Nagendran, she noted that every leader brings a distinct style to the table. “Nainar is a seasoned politician with a different approach. Annamalai also had his own style of functioning,” she said, while carefully balancing her critique with praise for Annamalai’s communication skills.

Despite her rejection of the "individual-centric" narrative, Khushbu acknowledged Annamalai’s capabilities as an orator and his administrative background as a former IPS officer.

“He speaks well and understands how to frame a message. Being a former IPS officer, he understands the law and can take his message easily to the people,” she admitted. However, she maintained her stance against framing the party's evolution around a single individual.

The remarks have added a layer of complexity to the BJP's internal dynamics as it navigates seat-sharing talks and candidate selection for the upcoming polls.