BJP Leader Annamalai Labels Tamil Nadu India's Drug Capital During Rally

During an election campaign rally in Ramanathapuram on April 16, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K. Annamalai declared Tamil Nadu the drug capital of India, identifying Ramanathapuram as the state's primary hub for narcotics movement. Annamalai heavily criticized the ruling DMK government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, alleging that five years of DMK rule have devastated law and order and increased crimes against vulnerable groups. He accused the state government of misusing funds allocated for aspirational districts and failing to implement central schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission effectively due to political bias against the Union government. Additionally, Annamalai defended the BJP's delimitation exercise regarding women's reservation in Lok Sabha seats, questioning the Chief Minister's opposition. The event also saw a tragic incident where an 80-year-old attendee collapsed and died, reportedly due to heat exhaustion. The rally featured support from AIADMK and other allied leaders, highlighting the intensifying political rhetoric ahead of the elections.