Former IPS officer Annamalai inducted into the BJP

Former IPS officer Kuppusamy Annamalai joined the BJP on Tuesday, asserting that he will work to strengthen party to bring changes in Tamil Nadu politics.

He joined the saffron party in New Delhi at its national headquarters in the presence of BJP national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao, Tamil Nadu state unit president L Murugan and National spokesperson Sambit Patra. Later he met the BJP national president J P Nadda.

While handing over primary membership receipt to Annamalai, Rao said that a large number of prominent persons are joining the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

Later, speaking to media, Annamalai heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he embodies a leader's qualities of fearlessness, courage, knowledge and spirit.

"I will work to strengthen what the BJP stands for and to bring that nationalist spirit to the state of Tamil Nadu," the 36-year-old former police officer, who has been involved in social work since quitting the IPS, said.

Annamalai, also known as 'Singham', said that he doesn't have ambitions to become a minister.

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He explained that he has joined the party as a common worker, not expecting any post. "I will work as common man and be loyal to the party ideology," he said.

"I am impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work. Everybody has to strengthen the Prime Minister's efforts in order to build a strong nation," he said.

Praising the saffron party, he said that the BJP is a nationalist party and stands for national security.

"After resigning from IPS, I took a year to think about my future. After a lot of thinking I took the decision to join the BJP as I believe the party stands for the common man," he said.

On how he would help BJP make a mark in Tamil Nadu where the party has little presence, he said, "Yes, I do agree that Dravidian politics play a major role in Tamil Nadu but the political situation in Tamil Nadu is changing and family politics is increasing."

“There is a lot of misconception about the BJP in Tamil Nadu and work needs to be done to create awareness. I am a nationalist at heart and BJP is the only party that doesn't have nepotism or sycophancy, if I may use that word. I will work for the party relentlessly," he added.

A native of Karur in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai belonged to the 2011 batch of IPS officers from the Karnataka cadre. He resigned for the service in 2019. He had served as Superintendent of Police in Udupi and Chikkamagalur and Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bengaluru city.

Known as an upright officer, he was given the title 'Singham.'