Chennai/IBNS, June 5 -- The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a major setback on Friday as its most prominent leader, K Annamalai, resigned from the saffron party, ending days of intense speculation over his political future, media reports said.

The former Tamil Nadu BJP president stepped down following meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior BJP leader B.L. Santhosh.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin accepted Annamalai's resignation on Friday.

Several reports have claimed that Annamalai, who was removed as the state BJP president amid the party's renewed alliance with the AIADMK, is preparing to launch his own political outfit in Tamil Nadu.

The speculation has gained momentum following the ...