The 39-year-old Annamalai Kuppusamy is making his parliamentary poll debut in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, contesting for the Coimbatore seat. Known for his aggressive style of politics, K. Annamalai is credited with the rise of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Unafraid to speak his mind, he confronts the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu directly and doesn't spare his former ally, the AIADMK. Some even attribute the breakup between AIADMK and BJP to his influence.

An engineering graduate, Annamalai pursued management studies at IIM-Lucknow. Hailing from Karur in western Tamil Nadu, he served as an IPS officer in the Karnataka cadre from 2011 to 2019. Joining the BJP in 2021, he was elevated to become the party’s state president, making him the youngest president of the Tamil Nadu unit.

In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, K. Annamalai discusses the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming polls. He confidently predicts that the BJP will secure double-digit seats in the state. Furthermore, he criticizes DMK's A. Raja and Udhayanidhi Stalin for their anti-Sanatan remarks.

Annamalai also delves into topics such as tax devolution to Southern states, delimitation, and his reasons for transitioning into politics. He also addresses the longstanding Cauvery water conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and shares his insights on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on society.