E.Krithika

E. Krithika (also referred to as Krithika Ezhumalai) is a 28-year-old graduate and first-time political candidate fielded by Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) for the Madhavaram constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. With declared assets of Rs. 63.23 lakhs (entirely movable assets) and no criminal record, she represents NTK's strategy to field diverse candidates in urban Chennai constituencies. The party announced its full list of 234 candidates in February 2026, contesting independently across all seats in Tamil Nadu. Madhavaram, a state assembly constituency formed after delimitation in 2008, includes areas like Mathur MMDA, Manali, Milk Colony, and Puzhal. The DMK's S. Sudharsanam won the seat in 2021 with 50.04% of the vote, while NTK's candidate R. Elumalai secured 9.07%, finishing third. Krithika's candidacy builds on this existing support base as NTK attempts to expand its influence among younger voters and those seeking alternatives to traditional Dravidian parties. The party's focus on Tamil nationalism, environmental issues, and social justice has helped it grow from 1.1% vote share in 2016 to 8.19% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. NTK, founded in 2010 by filmmaker-turned-politician Seeman, advocates for Tamil identity and independence for Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. While the party has generated enthusiasm among sections of urban youth, opinion polls for 2026 project it will not win any seats despite a projected 4.9% vote share statewide. The party has faced controversies, including protests against films perceived as anti-Tamil, resulting in arrests of party members. However, NTK has also been recognized for consistently fielding female candidates and promoting gender equality. Voters in Madhavaram should know that Krithika represents a young, ideology-driven party that has yet to translate growing vote share into electoral victories. With no prior political experience and limited public information about her personal background or campaign platform, her candidacy reflects NTK's broader ambitions rather than an established local presence. The constituency remains a DMK stronghold, making this an uphill challenge for a first-time candidate from a party still establishing its political foothold.