Kalaiyenthiri. R

Kalaiyenthiri R is a 35-year-old self-employed professional contesting from the Kilvaithinankuppam (SC) constituency in Tamil Nadu on a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) ticket for the 2026 Assembly elections. A graduate professional, Kalaiyenthiri has declared total assets of Rs. 15.10 lacs against liabilities of Rs. 21.13 lacs, indicating a significant debt burden. The candidate has no criminal cases declared in the affidavit. Naam Tamilar Katchi, led by filmmaker-politician Seeman, has emerged as a growing force in Tamil Nadu politics, positioning itself as a Tamil nationalist alternative to the established DMK and AIADMK. The party secured 8.19% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, qualifying it for state party recognition by the Election Commission. In the 2021 Assembly elections, NTK's candidate from Kilvaithinankuppam, J. Divya Rani, secured 10,027 votes (5.82%), losing to AIADMK's M. Jagan Moorthy. The constituency is reserved for Scheduled Castes. The party has been involved in several controversies, including protests against the film 'Kingdom' that led to 16 arrests of NTK cadres and a Madras High Court directive protecting theaters. Party chief Seeman faces sedition charges for advocating armed retrieval of Katchatheevu island. Additionally, allegations of cyberbullying by NTK supporters have drawn criticism. Despite these controversies, NTK has attracted youth support with its focus on Tamil identity and criticism of mainstream parties' 'freebie politics.' Voters in Kilvaithinankuppam should note that while NTK presents itself as a fresh alternative with a development-focused manifesto emphasizing agriculture, environmental conservation, and decentralized governance, the party and its candidates remain relatively untested in actual governance. Kalaiyenthiri's high debt-to-asset ratio and the limited information available about personal political experience are factors to consider.