Jump to content

Naam Tamilar Katchi

Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Naam Tamilar Katchi
AbbreviationNTK
LeaderSeeman
FounderS. P. Adithanar
Founded1958
HeadquartersPorur, Chennai
Youth wingMuthukumar Youth Wing
Women's wingSenkodi Women's Wing
IdeologyTamil nationalism[1]
Regionalism[1][2][3]
Environmentalism[4]
Political positionSyncretic[5][6]
ColoursRed
ECI StatusRUPP[7]
Seats in Rajya Sabha
0 / 245
Seats in Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Seats in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
0 / 234
Seats in Puducherry Legislative Assembly
0 / 30
Number of states and union territories in government
0 / 31
Website
www.naamtamilar.org

Naam Tamilar Katchi (transl. We are Tamils Party; NTK) is a Tamil nationalist political party active in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. It was founded in 1958 and is currently led by Seeman.

History

We Tamils party was founded by S. P. Adithanar in 1958 on the platform of Tamil nationalism.[8] In 1960, the party organised statewide protests in favour of the establishment of a separate Tamil country. The party, along with M. P. Sivagnanam's Tamil Arasu Kazhagam, was involved in the campaign to change the name of the state from Madras State to Tamil Nadu.[9] Adithanar lost the 1962 election from Tiruchendur[10] He was later elected to the Madras Legislative Council in 1964.[11] The party contested in the 1967 election as a part of the coalition led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) under the DMK's "Rising Sun" symbol. Four members of the party were elected to the Assembly, including Adithanar, who won from Srivaikuntam.[12][13][14] Later that year, Adithanar disbanded the party and joined the DMK.[8][15]

On 18 May 2010, on the first anniversary of the formation of the Naam Tamilar Iyakkam (We Tamils Movement), Seeman announced the formation of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), in a revival of the We Tamils party.[16] Seeman reiterated that the party was a revival of S. P. Adithanar original party.[17] He further said that party would be an alternative party to mainstream political parties in Tamil Nadu, and advocated for the establishment of an independent Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka.[18] The party launched its flag in 2014, with a leaping tiger insignia.[18]

Policies and views

Tamil identity and rule

The NTK denies the Dravidian identity of the Tamils,[19][20][21] and advocates for Tamils to identity solely based on the language.[22] It emphasises Tamil rule of Tamil-majority areas, opposing the Dravidian parties which it claims to have contributed to the downfall of the Tamils.[23] According to the party, anyone has right to live in Tamil Nadu but only a Tamil has the right to govern the state as chief minister.[24] Seeman justified his statement by stating that most of the former chief ministers of Tamil Nadu were not Tamils by origin. Though his statement was criticised by the Dravidian parties as racist, and he was accused of identity politics and creating ethnic divisions,[25] he found support from some including Bharathiraja and Sarath Kumar.[26][27] In an interview, Seeman later said that only who support the Tamils' basic rights, those who oppose suppression of his dignity and those who stand against the humiliation of Tamils are true Tamils.[28][29] The statement drew criticism from film director Ameer.[30]

Sri Lankan Tamils

The NTK supports the cause of Tamil Eelam, a proposed independent Tamil state comprising parts of the north and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The party idolises Velupillai Prabhakaran, the founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Tamil militant organisation.[31] After the defeat of the LTTE in 2009, the party still advocated for the creation of an independent Tamil state and the fulfillment of Tamil rights in the island nation.[32] It appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the serving of justice to the Sri Lankan Tamils, who faced several war crimes during the war with the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.[33] The party has highlighted the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils, who had come to India as refugees, and appealed for the granting of Indian citizenship to them and the cessation of hostilities against them by the authorities.[34][35]

Seeman has also called for the retrieval of Katchatheevu, an island of Sri Lanka, whose sovereignty of the island was recognised by India in 1974 after a prolonged dispute.[36] As the island disadvantaged the fishermen and led to frequent clashes with the Sri Lankan forces, he said that he would reclaim the island by arming fishermen, which resulted in sedition charges filed against him.[37]

Law and order

Seeman has often criticised the deterioration in law and order in the state.[38] He has also said that the party abhors violence in any form and cadres who violate its principles of conduct would be punished.[39]

NTK has supported commuting the death sentences and releasing those convicted in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Seeman said that the party's stance was not limited to the case, but for the complete abolition of the death penalty in India.[40] It has also called for the humanitarian release of prisoners jailed for more than ten years.[41]

Others

NTK strongly advocates for equal representation of women in all areas. The party has often allocated half of the seats it contested in the elections to women.[42] It also supports LGBTQ rights, and fielded a transgender candidate in the 2016 assembly elections.[43][44]

The party has launched several demonstrations demanding Tamil Nadu's share of water from the Kaveri River and Mullaperiyar Dam from upstream states.[45][46] Seeman has criticised the illegal sand mining of the state's riverbeds.[47][48]

In 2012, the central government was considering disinvestment of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), a government-owned company. The NLC employees organised a strike against the government's decision,[49][50] and the NTK supported their cause, with Seeman saying that the Tamil strikers were experiencing discrimination from non-Tamil management. He also criticised the NLC for investing in other Indian states during an acute power shortage in Tamil Nadu.[51]

In July 2018, the NTK organised protests against the proposed Chennai-Salem expressway project. According to the party, the project would be a disaster for the region's fragile ecology and would enable mining companies to illegally mine valuable minerals in the Kalrayan and Servarayan Hills on the expressway's proposed path.[52] The Madras High Court later quashed the government order to acquire land for the project.[53]

Elections

2011 Tamil Nadu Assembly election

The NTK contested the elections for the first time in the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. It campaigned against the Indian National Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, holding it responsible for the deaths of Sri Lankan Tamils during the Eelam War and its anti-Tamil policies.[54][55]

2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly election

The NTK contested in all the 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and in the districts of Puducherry and Karaikal.[56] The Election Commission of India allocated 'twin candles' as the party's symbol for the elections.[57] The party received 458,104 votes (1.1 percent) and did not win any seats.[58][59]

2017 R. K. Nagar by-election

The NTK fielded K. Kalaikottudhayam as its candidate for the 2017 R. K. Nagar by-election, necessitated by the death of J. Jayalalithaa[60] In a pre-poll survey by Puthiya Thalaimurai TV, NTK received 11.72% of votes when surveyed as to the best alternative party to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[61] After the by-elections was not held as planned on 12 April, because of allegations of bribery and corruption,[62] Seeman expressed his dissatisfaction with democracy in India, saying that it was unfair of the Election Commission to stop the elections, rather than disqualifying the parties involved in bribery.[63] The election was held on 21 December 2017, and NTK finished fourth, with 3,802 votes.[64]

2019 Indian general election

In the 2019 Indian general election, the NTK contested all 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the single seat in Puducherry.[65] It allocated half of the seats to women candidates.[66][67] The party received 1,645,185 votes, which was about 3.1% of the total votes.[68][69] It received 84,855 votes in the Sriperumbudur constituency, the party's highest vote count in a single seat in the election.[70]

2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election

In the 2021 assembly elections, the party contested in all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu. The party again allocated half of the seats to women, and Seeman introduced the candidates on 7 March 2021.[71] Seeman contested from the Thiruvottiyur constituency, and placed third with 24.4% votes.[72]

2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election

In December 2025, the party announced that it will contest solo across all the constituencies in Tamil Nadu in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, and released its first list of candidates.[73]

Electoral performance

Lok Sabha Elections

Lok Sabha elections
Year Party leader Seats won Change in seats Popular vote Percentage of votes Vote Swing Outcome
Tamil Nadu
2019 Seeman Steady 1,668,079 3.91% Steady Lost
2024 Steady 3,560,485 8.19% Increase 4.28% Lost
Puducherry
2019 Seeman Steady 22,857 2.89% Steady Lost
2024 Steady 39,603 4.90% Increase 2.01% Lost

Bye Elections

Year Constituency Name Popular Votes Percentage of Votes Vote Swing Outcome
Tamil Nadu
2021 Kanniyakumari 58,593 5.34% Increase 3.71% Lost

Legislative Assembly Elections

Year Party leader Seats won Change in seats Popular vote Percentage of votes Vote Swing Outcome
Tamil Nadu
2016 Seeman Steady 458,007 1.06% Steady Lost
2021 Steady 3,067,458 6.89% Increase 5.83% Lost
2026 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Puducherry
2016 Seeman Steady 3,888 0.47% Steady Lost
2021 Steady 28,189 3.37% Increase 2.9% Lost
2026 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Bye Elections

Year Constituency Name Popular Votes Percentage of Votes Vote Swing Outcome
Tamil Nadu
2017 RK Nagar 3,802 2.15% Increase 0.71% Lost
2019 Poonamallee 10,871 4.24% Increase 3.17% Lost
Perambur 8,611 4.56% Increase 2.84% Lost
Thiruporur 9,910 4.56% Increase 3.65% Lost
Sholingur 5,188 4.56% Increase 4.1% Lost
Gudiyatham 4,670 2.29% Increase 1.85% Lost
Ambur 3,127 1.81% Increase 1.45% Lost
Hosur 6,740 2.95% Increase 1.96% Lost
Pappireddipatti 3,783 1.76% Increase 1.48% Lost
Harur 3,902 1.98% Increase 1.65% Lost
Nilakottai 4,934 2.7% Increase 2.01% Lost
Tiruvarur 8,144 3.95% Increase 3.23% Lost
Thanjavur 11,182 5.83% Increase 5.2% Lost
Manamadurai 9,315 4.73% Increase 3.12% Lost
Andipatti 5,810 2.54% Increase 1.88% Lost
Periyakulam 5,825 2.96% Increase 2.42% Lost
Paramakudi 6,710 3.81% Increase 2.24% Lost
Vilathikulam 4,628 2.93% Increase 1.77% Lost
Aravakurichi 2,227 1.29% Increase 0.81% Lost
Thiruparankundram 5,467 2.42% Steady New Lost
Sattur 5,004 2.76% Increase 1.90% Lost
Ottapidaram 8,666 5.09% Increase 2.73% Lost
Sulur 4,335 1.93% Increase 0.58% Lost
Vikravandi 2,921 1.55% Increase 0.97% Lost
Nanguneri 3,494 2.05% Increase 0.7% Lost
2023 Erode East 10,827 6.35% Decrease 1.30% Lost
2024 Vilavancode 8,150 5.08% Decrease 2.24% Lost
Vikravandi 10,602 5.40% Increase 1.13% Lost
2025 Erode East 24,151 15.59% Increase 9.24% Lost

References

  1. ^ a b "NTK brewing dangerous Tamil nationalist chauvinism in Tamil Nadu". News Click. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  2. ^ "'Do not involve religion, caste in politics and governance'". The Hindu. 21 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Naam Tamilar Katchi's Seeman Questions Vijay's Silence Over Illegal Sand Mining". News18. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  4. ^ "NTK shows way to save environment for all, not just humans alone!". World Sikh News. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Seeman talks of Soviet style socialising of Agriculture". The New Indian Express. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Primary principles". Naam Tamilar Katchi. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  7. ^ "List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013" (PDF). India: Election Commission of India. 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  8. ^ a b "History of the 1960s". Vikatan (in Tamil). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  9. ^ Ramaswamy, Sumathy (1997). Passions of the tongue: language devotion in Tamil India, 1891–1970. University of Chicago Press. pp. Chapter 6. ISBN 978-0-520-20805-6. OCLC 36084635.
  10. ^ "1962 Madras State Election Results" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  11. ^ Kaliyaperumal, M (1992). The office of the speaker in Tamilnadu : A study (PDF). University of Madras. pp. Appendices. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Tamilar Thanthai Si Pa Adithanar". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 10 April 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009.
  13. ^ Ross Barnett, Marguerite (1975). Electoral politics in the Indian states: party systems and cleavages. Manohar Book Service. p. 86.
  14. ^ "1967 Tamil Nadu Election Results" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  15. ^ "தமிழர் தந்தை சி.பா. ஆதித்தனார்". Maalai Malar. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Seeman to convert his 'Naam Tamilar' into political party". Asian Tribune. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  17. ^ "ஆய்வுகள்" (in Tamil). Tamilkathir. 30 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  18. ^ a b "New party to be launched in Tamil Nadu with Leaping Tiger as its flag". TamilNet. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  19. ^ "Dravidian identity is for the Non-Tamils to rule over Tamils; says Seeman". 30 May 2019.
  20. ^ Naig, Udhav (24 March 2021). "Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections | How can I form an alliance to get rid of corruption, asks Seeman". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  21. ^ Naig, Udhav (23 March 2021). "There exists Tamils and Aryans, none called 'Dravidian'; says Seeman. (paid article, use "12ft.io" to unblock for free)". The Hindu.
  22. ^ "Ethno-linguistic 'Tamilian' identity vs Ethno-racial 'Dravidian' identity vs Hindutva's 'Hindu-Indian' identity; clashes of identity politics in Tamilnadu". The Times of India. 3 March 2017.
  23. ^ "Seeman calls for vote bank to protect Tamils". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  24. ^ "தமிழர்கள் தான் தமிழகத்தை ஆள வேண்டும்: சீமான்". Dinakaran (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  25. ^ "Tamil nationalists, Dravidian ideologues locked in battle". The Hindu. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  26. ^ "தமிழகத்தைத் தமிழன்தான் ஆள வேண்டும்- பாரதிராஜா திடீர் ஆவேசம்". Vikatan (in Tamil). 25 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  27. ^ "தமிழ்நாட்டை தமிழன் தான் ஆள வேண்டும்: சரத்குமார் பேச்சு". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Kelvikkenna Bathil, Exclusive Interview with NTK Seeman". Thanthi TV. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2020 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "Agni Paritchai with Seeman". Puthiya Thalaimurai TV. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2020 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "ரஜினியும், விஷாலும்தான் நல்லவர்களா.. தமிழர்கள் நல்லவர்கள் இல்லையா.. அமீர் கேள்வி". One India (in Tamil). 25 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  31. ^ "Late LTTE chief V prabhakaran appears on NTK posters along with photos of Seeman". The Commune. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  32. ^ "'Our stance on Tamil Eelam is the same as those who fought for it' – NTK speaks". Tamil Guardian. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  33. ^ "We Will Teach You a Lesson". United Nations Human Rights Council. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  34. ^ "TN: Eight Lankan refugees arrested". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  35. ^ "Shut down Lankan refugee camps: Seeman". DT Next. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  36. ^ "Katchatheevu: The big issue over a small island". Livemint. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  37. ^ "Sedition case against Seeman". The Hindu. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Mercenary menace up: Seeman". The New Indian Express. 1 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  39. ^ "Seeman condemns attacks on Lankan tourists". The New Indian Express. 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  40. ^ "'Land of Ahimsa should abolish death penalty'". The New Indian Express. 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  41. ^ "Release persons incarcerated for over 10 years, says Seeman". The Hindu. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  42. ^ Shaji, Nidharshana Raju, Sukanya (13 April 2024). "Tamil Nadu party NTK fields 50% women candidates for 3rd time: Ideology or strategy?". The News Minute. Retrieved 1 June 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ Mathew, Pheba (5 April 2016). "TN's first transgender candidate is standing against Jayalalithaa". The News Minute. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Jaya finds an admirer in C Devi, her transgender rival from RK Nagar". Hindustan Times. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  45. ^ "Popular Tamil actor Seeman among 400 arrested following protests over Mullaperiyar". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 20 October 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  46. ^ "Declare Thanjavur district drought-hit: Seeman". The Hindu. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  47. ^ "Clean sweep". Frontline. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  48. ^ "Nallakannu, Seeman arrested near Srivaikuntam reservoir". The Hindu. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  49. ^ "India: The lessons of the NLC betrayal". World Socialist. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  50. ^ "NLC workers withdraw strike". Business Standard. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  51. ^ "Ban on all sorts of stir in Cuddalore district". The Hindu. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  52. ^ Saqaf, Syed Muthahar (18 July 2018). "Chennai-Salem green corridor project: Seeman arrested for violating bail terms". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  53. ^ "சென்னை – சேலம் 8 வழிச்சாலை திட்ட அரசாணை ரத்து; நிலம் கையகப்படுத்தியது செல்லாது: உயர் நீதிமன்றம் அதிரடி உத்தரவு". The Hindu (in Tamil). 8 April 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  54. ^ "NTK Neutral on Vaiko, to Back Jaya". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  55. ^ "Naam Tamilar Katchi to work for defeat of Cong in TN". IBN Live. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  56. ^ "Seeman to announce party candidates tomorrow". News Web India. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  57. ^ "Seeman gets the first recognition in politics". Indiaglitz. March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  58. ^ "2016 election results". The Hindu. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  59. ^ "மதிமுக, தமாகா, சிபிஎம், சிபிஐ, வி.சி. வாக்கு சதவீதத்தை ஓரம் கட்டிய... நாம் தமிழர்!". One India. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  60. ^ "NTK names R.K. Nagar candidate". The Hindu. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  61. ^ "தேமுதிக, சிபிஎம், பாஜகவை விட மக்கள் அதிகம் விரும்புவது நாம் தமிழர் கட்சி – புதிய தலைமுறை சர்வே". One India. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  62. ^ "EC cancels RK Nagar bypoll, cites voter bribery, corruption". The Times of India. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  63. ^ "NTK Chief Seeman on "Cancellation of RK Nagar By-Election". Thanthi TV. 9 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  64. ^ "Ground report: Bribery allegations consume RK Nagar, as security teams helpless". News Minute. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  65. ^ Merigala, Samuel (24 March 2019). "Naam Tamilar Katchi likely to score better this time in Tamil Nadu thanks to internet". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  66. ^ Stalin, J Sam Daniel (28 March 2019). "In A First, Half Of This Tamil Nadu Party's Contestants Are Women". NDTV. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  67. ^ "Naam Tamilar grants 50% quota for women in Lok Sabha elections". The New Indian Express. 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  68. ^ "Lok Sabha Election Results 2019". Dinamalar. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  69. ^ "Tamil Nadu Election Results 2019". NDTV. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  70. ^ "General Election to Lok Sabha Trends & Result 2019 – Constituencywise-All Candidates – Constituencywise-All Candidates". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019.
  71. ^ "Naam Tamilar party introduces all 234 candidates on single stage". The New Indian Express. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  72. ^ "Thiruvottiyur Election Result". News18. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  73. ^ "NTK releases first lits of candidates". DT Next. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naam_Tamilar_Katchi&oldid=1340345996"