Annamalai's First Mega Event After BJP Exit Focuses on Drug-Free Tamil Nadu

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai is set to address a major public gathering in Pollachi on Sunday as part of his "Drug Free" campaign , marking his first large-scale public appearance since resigning from the BJP and launching the We the Leaders Foundation .

Organisers said the conference will focus on creating awareness about the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among the youth, and will not serve as a platform for political announcements.

Speaking to reporters, Annamalai supporter Amar Prasad Reddy described drug abuse as a serious social challenge affecting not only Tamil Nadu but the entire country. He claimed that increasing addiction among students has led to mental health issues, including depression, and urged people to support the campaign by wearing a white band as part of the foundation's declaration of a "Drug-Free Month."

Reddy alleged that the spread of narcotics has become one of the biggest threats facing the country and the state. He said organisers expect 50,000 to 75,000 people to attend the Maanadu (conference) in Pollachi.

"Absolutely no politics, only social causes," Reddy said, reiterating that the event is intended to promote public awareness rather than political messaging.

The We the Leaders Foundation , headed by Annamalai, has been enrolling members across Tamil Nadu while conducting a series of public outreach programmes, including marathons, walkathons, cyclothons, cricket and badminton tournaments, and medical camps , to spread awareness against drug abuse.

Although Annamalai has previously stated that his We the Leaders movement is on course to evolve into a political party, there has been no indication that such an announcement will be made at the Pollachi conference . The event is instead expected to highlight the foundation's anti-drug campaign and future outreach initiatives.