Tamil Nadu ‘Singham’ Annamalai hails UAE’s growth story, spirit of tolerance

Former Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and young politician K. Annamalai expressed admiration for the rapid transformations across the emirates, calling Dubai a “financial powerhouse” and praising the foresight of the UAE rulers.

Popularly known as the ‘Singham’ for his tough policing style in Karnataka, Annamalai is on his first visit to the UAE since entering politics in 2019. He was impressed by the world-class infrastructure he witnessed during his visit.

“The UAE is growing very fast. What I saw five years ago in Dubai and what I see now are inspiring,” Annamalai said during his visit, which coincides with Indian Independence Day events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi organised by the Indian People’s Forum – UAE.

“The rulers’ vision is very clear and distinct. It is not that of a petroleum-dependent country; they want to take it to a different level.”

The 41-year-old politician visited the grand BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi and highlighted it as a lesson in tolerance and mutual respect. Annamalai was welcomed and given a guided tour by Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, Head of the Mandir.

He was captivated by the Fairy Tale immersive show, 6,500-year-old subfossil oak trees that stand as enduring symbols of harmony in diversity, and the Mandir’s stunning architectural and spiritual features. He described the Mandir as one of the “most beautiful pieces of carving” he had seen in recent times.

“This is truly a story for the ages and for history. When we look back 200 years from now, this will stand as one of the greatest collaborations of the 21st century,” he said. “Allowing a Hindu temple to come up in an Islamic land is a powerful symbol of two strong cultures coexisting with humility and respect. I am going back having learnt a powerful lesson in tolerance.”

Annamalai noted the UAE’s multicultural harmony, with more than 200 nationalities living together peacefully, reflecting the vision and ideals of its rulers.

“The system here is a beautiful model,” he said, expressing surprise at Indian expats singing the UAE national anthem before events, reflecting the respect they have for a country that treats them fairly.

Turning to politics, Annamalai underlined the BJP’s steady growth in Tamil Nadu since 2014. The party will contest the 2026 Assembly elections in alliance with the AIADMK, building on its 2024 General Election performance, which saw its vote share rise from 3.58 per cent in 2019 to double digits.

“The base is there. The vote is there. We have a strong alliance partner. The larger goal is to defeat the DMK,” he said.

He stressed that the BJP’s rise is a long-term project focused on grassroots work, booth-level committees, and door-to-door campaigns. Around 5 million people from Tamil Nadu have joined the party through its membership drive, which he called a “10-year project.”

On Tamil Nadu’s economic future, Annamalai highlighted the role of the services sector in achieving the state’s trillion-dollar target by 2030. He acknowledged challenges with the state’s language policies but said people are ready for multilingual integration.

“People are ready for multiple languages.”

Reflecting on his transition from IPS to politics, Annamalai spoke of maintaining discipline and integrity in a dynamic political landscape.

“I have learned patience. Results may not come immediately, but persistence is key. I am committed to the state,” he added.