In a significant political development, BJP state president K Annamalai was arrested by Chennai police at Akkarai junction near Neelankarai on the East Coast Road (ECR) while heading to Egmore to participate in a protest against the alleged TASMAC scam. Annamalai’s vehicle was stopped by the police, and after a brief negotiation, he was detained and taken away in a police vehicle.
This arrest followed the detention of Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Governor and senior BJP leader, along with other prominent party members. Tamilisai, who had planned to join the protest, was intercepted by a police team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Snehapriya at her residence. The police had stationed themselves outside her house from 7 a.m. and stopped her from leaving. After a brief argument, she was escorted into a police vehicle. Tamilisai expressed her discontent, arguing that she had the right to attend the protest, demanding equal treatment to BJP workers.
In another development, BJP state deputy president Karu Nagarajan was arrested in front of his residence, as police were stationed at the homes of BJP leaders and district office-bearers from the early morning. As soon as these individuals attempted to leave for the protest, they were detained by the authorities.
The arrested BJP workers and leaders were later detained at a marriage hall and community hall in the city, where they are being held. This series of arrests highlights the intensifying political unrest and police response to protests in Chennai.
