Himlar

Himlar, 32, is a self-employed graduate professional contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Killiyoor constituency on a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) ticket. With assets of Rs. 22.5 lakhs and liabilities of Rs. 2.1 lakhs, he represents the Tamil nationalist party founded by Seeman that advocates for Tamil identity, rights, and autonomy. His affidavit declares one criminal case with serious charges including promoting enmity between groups (IPC 153A), being part of an unlawful assembly (IPC 143), and negligently spreading infection (IPC 269). This is Himlar's second consecutive electoral attempt from Killiyoor. In the 2021 Assembly elections, he secured 14,571 votes (8.58%), finishing third behind the Indian National Congress winner S. Rajeshkumar and the AIADMK candidate. His party NTK has grown significantly in Tamil Nadu politics, emerging as the third-largest party with 6.72% statewide vote share in 2021 and earning recognition as a state party by the Election Commission in May 2025. However, Himlar's party has been embroiled in recent controversies. The NTK organized aggressive protests against the Telugu film 'Kingdom' in 2024-25, claiming it misrepresented Sri Lankan Tamils, which escalated into attacks on theaters across Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court had to intervene, directing police to protect theaters while acknowledging NTK's right to peaceful protest. Party cadres have also faced accusations of cyberbullying, including a 2024 incident where Trichy SP alleged online harassment with family photos. The party's leader Seeman has previously faced sedition charges for advocating the retrieval of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka. Voters in Killiyoor should weigh Himlar's representation of a growing Tamil nationalist movement against the party's history of aggressive tactics and legal controversies. While NTK's recognition as a state party validates its electoral presence, the declared criminal charges and party's involvement in recent confrontational activities raise questions about approach to political activism and public order.