Tamil Nadu polls: BJP releases list of 27 candidates, K Annamalai not fielded

The BJP has released its candidate list for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, with former state president K Annamalai's name not included in the list. Union Minister L Murugan will contest from Avanashi, whilst former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has been fielded from Mylapore. Vanathi Srinivasan will contest from Coimbatore North, a seat where Annamalai was expected to be fielded. State President Nayanar Nagendran will contest from Sattur. The BJP has been allocated 27 constituencies in the alliance with AIADMK. Reports suggest Annamalai stood his ground, refusing to contest despite pressure from the party's national leadership, including poll in-charge Piyush Goyal.