M Radhamani

M Radhamani, 38, is an advocate and postgraduate representing Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) from the Madathukulam constituency in Tiruppur district for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. With declared assets of Rs 1.25 crore and no criminal cases, she enters a constituency where NTK previously secured only 3.43% of votes (6,245 votes) in 2021 under candidate U Sanuja, finishing far behind the AIADMK winner who garnered 84,313 votes. Madathukulam is a predominantly rural, agricultural constituency where key issues include the revival of the Amaravathi Cooperative Sugar Mill and drinking water supply. Radhamani's party, Naam Tamilar Katchi, was founded in 2010 by filmmaker-turned-politician Seeman and advocates for Tamil nationalism, cultural preservation, and social justice, positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream Dravidian parties. The party has shown growth, securing over 8.2% vote share in recent elections and gaining traction particularly among younger voters. For the 2026 elections, NTK has announced it will contest independently without alliances, with Seeman himself contesting from Karaikudi. The party's manifesto emphasizes decentralized governance, anti-drug measures, Tamil-centric policies, agricultural support, and environmental conservation. However, NTK has been embroiled in significant controversies. In 2025, the party organized violent protests against the Telugu film Kingdom over alleged misrepresentation of the Tamil Eelam issue, leading to theater attacks and Madras High Court intervention directing police protection. More seriously, in August 2024, an NTK district youth wing member was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl during a fake NCC camp. Party leader Seeman himself has faced sedition charges for statements about arming fishermen to reclaim the disputed Katchatheevu island. Despite these controversies, the party has demonstrated inclusivity by fielding diverse candidates including Brahmins, Scheduled Castes, and transgender individuals. Voters in Madathukulam should know that Radhamani represents a relatively new political force that has yet to translate its growing vote share into electoral victories. Opinion polls project NTK may secure around 4.9% vote share statewide in 2026 but is not expected to win seats. She faces competition from established parties including DMK's R. Jayaramakrishnan, AMMK's C. Shanmugavelu, and TVK's R. Thirumalai. While limited information exists about Radhamani's personal political work or community engagement, she carries both the promise of NTK's alternative politics and the burden of the party's recent legal troubles and controversial tactics.