Narmadha. G.

Narmadha G., 44, is a postgraduate and housewife contesting from the Coimbatore (North) constituency for Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. She filed her nomination on the first day of nominations, joining a competitive race against established candidates including Senthamil Selvan (DMK), Vanathi Srinivasan (BJP), and V. Sampathkumar (TVK). With declared assets of Rs. 3.97 crore (including movable assets of Rs. 91.84 lakh and immovable assets of Rs. 3.05 crore) and liabilities of Rs. 17.50 lakh, she has no criminal cases against her. This is her first electoral contest, with no previous election data available. Narmadha represents NTK, a Tamil nationalist party founded by Seeman in 2010, which has seen significant growth in recent years. The party's vote share jumped from 1.1% in 2016 to 6.72% in 2021, making it the third-largest party in Tamil Nadu. NTK has maintained its independence, refusing alliances with major parties while positioning itself as an alternative to both Dravidian parties (DMK and AIADMK) and national parties like the BJP. For the 2026 elections, NTK announced 234 candidates across Tamil Nadu, with a focus on diverse representation including women, Scheduled Castes, and various communities. The party's 2026 manifesto emphasizes decentralized governance, agriculture, women's representation, and anti-drug measures. However, NTK has been embroiled in controversies in Coimbatore. Party leader Seeman faces six FIRs from Coimbatore rural police for controversial remarks about social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy, which sparked protests. NTK candidates in the district have alleged police interference during the nomination process, claiming restrictions despite having proper documentation. Additionally, NTK cadres were involved in ransacking an illegal bar near Coimbatore airport following a gang rape incident, though they handed the operator to police. The party has also faced legal actions related to protests against films and political statements. Voters in Coimbatore (North) should know that Narmadha is a first-time candidate from a party with growing but still modest electoral presence in the constituency. While NTK's candidate C.B. Balendran secured only 1.65% (3,114 votes) in this constituency in 2016, the party's broader state-wide growth and focus on Tamil nationalism may resonate differently in 2026. The constituency, traditionally an AIADMK stronghold, has seen narrowing margins and increased competition from multiple parties, making this a multi-cornered contest where NTK aims to capitalize on anti-establishment sentiment.