Wife of Slain BSP Leader K Armstrong Launches New Party on His First Death Anniversary
Chennai, July 6, 2025 — On the solemn occasion of the first death anniversary of slain Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu leader K Armstrong, his wife Porkodi Armstrong launched a new political outfit — Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj — marking a new chapter in the state’s political landscape.
The party was officially announced on Saturday in Pothur, Thiruvallur district, where over 1,000 supporters gathered to remember Armstrong, who was murdered in a brutal daylight attack last year.
This development also comes months after Porkodi Armstrong was removed as the BSP’s Tamil Nadu coordinator, signaling a rift with the party's central leadership and prompting her to chart an independent course.
A Party Born of Grief and Resolve
Launching the Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj at Armstrong’s memorial, Ms. Porkodi said the party would carry forward her late husband’s ideology and social justice mission.
“This is not just a political movement, but a people’s struggle to uphold the values Armstrong stood for — equality, justice, and dignity for the marginalised,” she told supporters.
The event was held under tight security, given the high-profile nature of the leader’s murder and ongoing legal proceedings.
High-Profile Attendance at Memorial
Several key political figures across party lines attended the event and paid tributes to Armstrong:
- Nainar Nagendran, BJP Tamil Nadu President
- Thol. Thirumavalavan, VCK Chief
- Anbumani Ramadoss, PMK Leader
- Kamaltai Gavai, mother of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, also made a symbolic presence
Their attendance underscored Armstrong’s wide-reaching influence, especially among Dalit and Bahujan communities across Tamil Nadu.
Background: The Murder That Shook Tamil Nadu
K Armstrong, 52, a prominent Dalit leader and BSP’s face in Tamil Nadu, was hacked to death on July 5, 2024, near his under-construction home in Perambur, Chennai. The daylight murder sent shockwaves across the state, sparking outrage and calls for justice from across the political spectrum.
So far, 27 individuals have been arrested, and the case is currently under trial. Investigations pointed to personal and political motives, but full clarity is still awaited.
Porkodi Armstrong’s Political Shift
Porkodi’s political journey has been turbulent. After her removal as BSP’s Tamil Nadu coordinator earlier in 2025, speculation was rife about her next move. Today’s launch of a new political party on her husband’s death anniversary not only commemorates Armstrong but also signals a new assertion of Bahujan politics in Tamil Nadu.
Analysts see this move as an attempt to carve out an independent political identity, potentially attracting those disenchanted with BSP’s current trajectory in the state.
Reactions from the Political Spectrum
While no official statement was issued by the BSP following the launch, party insiders see this as a potential split in the Tamil Nadu Dalit vote base. The VCK and PMK, both having significant Dalit and OBC voter influence, may also keep a close watch on how this new party evolves.
Political commentator R. Kannan said:
“Porkodi Armstrong’s move could spark a reconfiguration in Dalit politics in Tamil Nadu. Her late husband was seen as a grassroots leader with real influence. Whether she can translate emotional support into electoral power remains to be seen.”
What’s Next for Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj?
The newly launched party is yet to announce its organizational structure, ideological roadmap, or whether it will contest upcoming local body or assembly elections. However, sources close to Porkodi say a formal policy outline and cadre expansion plan will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Final Thoughts
One year after a tragedy that stunned Tamil Nadu, Porkodi Armstrong has turned personal loss into political action. Whether the Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj emerges as a force of change or remains a symbolic movement will depend on its next steps and public reception.
But one thing is clear — the legacy of K Armstrong continues to shape the state’s social and political discourse.