Anbuselvi A

Anbuselvi A., a 57-year-old postgraduate, is a politician from the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) contesting from the Cumbum constituency in Theni District, Tamil Nadu. She declared assets worth approximately Rs. 96 lakhs with minimal liabilities of Rs. 2.13 lakhs, and no criminal cases against her. Her political journey reflects the broader trajectory of NTK, a Tamil nationalist party founded in 2010 by Seeman that has been steadily gaining ground in Tamil Nadu politics. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, Anbuselvi contested from Cumbum and secured 12,347 votes, representing a 6.10% vote share. While she lost to DMK's N. Eramakrishnan who won with 104,800 votes (51.81%), her performance marked a significant improvement for NTK in the constituency compared to 2016 when the party's candidate received only 1,105 votes (0.57%). This dramatic increase from 0.57% to 6.10% mirrors NTK's overall growth trajectory across Tamil Nadu, where the party increased its state-wide vote share from 3.89% in 2019 to 8.19% in 2024. NTK positions itself as an alternative to the traditional DMK-AIADMK duopoly, advocating for Tamil nationalism, social justice, and taking stronger stances on Sri Lankan Tamil issues. The party has been particularly successful in attracting younger voters disillusioned with mainstream Dravidian politics. However, NTK has also faced controversies, including allegations of supporter cyberbullying and criticism over nationalist rhetoric. For Cumbum voters, Anbuselvi represents a party on the rise, though one that has yet to translate increasing vote shares into electoral victories at the constituency level.