Beyond the din of the fight between the big regional parties in Tamil Nadu \u2014 DMK and AIADMK \u2014 and their challenger, BJP, a silent and significant phenomenon has happened in the State \u2014 the rise of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). <\/p>\n
With its vote-share crossing the 8 per cent mark, the party has become eligible, as per Election Commission\u2019s guidelines, for the status of \u2018State-recognised party\u2019. <\/p>\n
It was formed by film director-turned-politician, Seeman, in 2010. In 2016, it fought its first (assembly) elections and got just 1.76 per cent vote share; the number rose to 3.87 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. <\/p>\n
People flocked to listen to Seeman\u2019s brilliant oratory and fiery speeches, in which he explicated the merits of Tamil nationalism and sang panegyrics of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the founder of the terrorist organisation LTTE \u2014 he would call himself and his party men \u201csons of Prabhakaran\u201d in every speech. <\/p>\n
The speeches left many cold, but they struck a chord with the youth essentially because of Seeman\u2019s steadfast refusal to ally with any other party. NTK became a tent for those who didn\u2019t like DMK and AIADMK. (BJP was not even on the horizon.) <\/p>\n
In the 2021 assembly elections, NTK\u2019s vote percentage increased to 6.58 per cent. And now, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it has secured 8.19 per cent. <\/p>\n
\nAnnamalai\u2019s approbation
\n<\/h5>\n
It is not often that you see a party leader praising a rival, especially an ideological opposite. But BJP\u2019s Tamil Nadu President, Kuppusamy Annamalai generously praised NTK at a press conference yesterday. Acknowledging that NTK fought the elections \u201chonestly, without bribing voters and without a meaningful organisation base\u201d, Annamalai said he knew how hard NTK fought the elections. Indeed, NTK\u2019s growing vote-share cued the departure of the Tamil people from Dravidian politics, he said. <\/p>\n
By not allying with any other party and not playing the \u201cmoney game\u201d NTK demonstrated to the voters that it was a party with a difference. Furthermore, in 19 of the 39 seats, the party put in female candidates. Practically none of the party\u2019s contestants were known names and almost all of them were educated. All these shoveled-in votes. <\/p>\n
Thus far, Seeman\u2019s doggedness has paid off. But there are bumps ahead. <\/p>\n
First, the party has in the 14 years of its existence never won an assembly or a Lok Sabha seat. This might fatigue its workers. <\/p>\n
Second, two challengers have emerged \u2014 BJP and actor Vijay\u2019s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which will fight its first elections in 2026. BJP\u2019s 11.24 per cent vote share and the party\u2019s growing popularity would worry Seeman. Vijay is yet an unknown, but he is a popular actor \u2014 his party would be yet another outlet for those who wish to junk Dravidianism. <\/p>\n
Seeman obviously recognises these challenges but says he won\u2019t deviate from his \u2018non-alignment\u2019 path. He once said in a public meeting that he wouldn\u2019t mind screaming hoarse for the welfare of the Tamil people and die happily rather than join hands with another party. Such an unwavering stand is what is fetching him votes.<\/p>\n