When I read his autobiography Stepping Beyond Khaki I was convinced that Annamalai will be a leader to watch out for. I also predicted that one day he will be the Chief Minister of TamilNadu. Still stand by that prediction and here is a new one – he will be the Prime Minister of India some day.
On Feb 6, 2024 we went to visit Gopinath, the young Engineer who has continued his family tradition of weaving exquisite Kanchi Silk sarees with pure silk and pure zari. As we were staying in Tiruttani, we took the Sholingur-Ranipet-Wallajah route to Arani. From Ranipet onwards there were BJP flags and then several cut-outs of Annamalai.
Never thought we will see BJP flags in TamilNadu aka Christian Nadu what with the rampant conversion mafia working overtime :(:(.
On our way back we found there were huge crowds waiting for Annamalai to show up. He was addressing a gathering at Arakkonam, my father’s place the next day on Feb 7 as part of his Enn Mann Enn Makkal Padayatra.
The response to the Padayatra has been phenomenal. Annamalai’s connect with people evokes memories of MGR’s connect. The kind of adulation the original Thalaivar MGR had is being seen with Annamalai. MGR was larger than life. Annamalai is a genuine people’s hero who comes from a humble background and has achieved success in his career as a police officer before entering politics. He is a phenomenon in the making and the Dravidian Dumeels are unable to stop this juggernaut.
Many of the cut-outs already proclaim Annamalai as the next Chief Minister. We certainly hope that comes true, but he is bringing a huge vote share towards BJP. People trust him and his ability as a good leader. That kind of trust has been lacking in TN for decades now.
My cousin’s son is part of BJP and here is his picture with Annamalai at the Arakkonam gathering.
My mother is Annamalai’s biggest fan! She listens to some speech of his every single day and keeps tracking his Padayatra. We hope to attend the conclusion of his Enn Mann Enn Makkal Padayatra at Tiruppur. If we get to meet him, that would be a bonus.
Here’s hoping my predictions for Annamalai come true because it would mean TamilNadu becomes a model state and Bharat continues to progress in the right direction. Watch out for this phenomenon called Annamalai.
Do read my earlier blogpost – TamilNadu – Three Policemen and a House Full of Thieves.
TN’s only hope 🙏 Praying he gets to be the CM of the state for a long long long time. He is certainly PM material, however his love for his home state is crystal clear. And he is the type who will serve the nation in any capacity. Not a power-crazy, corrupt man like the current dynastic family that has ruined TN for decades !
Agree 100% 👍