Thenmozhi. R

Thenmozhi R., 31, is a postgraduate Assistant Professor in the private sector who is making her electoral debut as the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) candidate from Manachanallur constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. With declared assets of Rs. 27.62 lakhs (including Rs. 20 lakhs in immovable property and Rs. 7.62 lakhs in movable assets) and liabilities of Rs. 1.80 lakhs, her financial profile appears consistent with her academic profession. She has no criminal cases declared in her affidavit. Thenmozhi represents the Naam Tamilar Katchi, a Tamil nationalist party founded in 1958 and re-established in 2010 by actor-turned-politician Seeman. The party has been steadily growing its electoral presence, increasing its vote share from 1.1% in 2016 to 3.89% in 2019 and 6.72% in 2021, eventually gaining recognized state party status. NTK positions itself as an alternative to mainstream Dravidian parties, advocating for Tamil nationalism and regional autonomy. In Manachanallur, a constituency formed after delimitation in 2008 with 234,217 registered electors, Thenmozhi faces competition from DMK's S. Kathiravan, AIADMK's R. V. Bharathan, and TVK's V. Saravanan. While Thenmozhi herself has a limited individual public profile with no documented controversies or development work, her party has faced legal challenges. NTK leader Seeman has been involved in multiple defamation cases, including a 2024 FIR for allegedly defamatory caste-based remarks about former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, and a 2020 criminal defamation case where the Madras High Court rejected his plea to quash charges. NTK cadres have also been arrested for disrupting theater screenings during protests against the film 'Kingdom', leading to court-ordered police protection for venues. Voters in Manachanallur should know that Thenmozhi is a first-time candidate from an emerging regional party with growing but still limited electoral presence. While she brings an academic background to politics and has a clean personal record, she is part of a party known for its uncompromising Tamil nationalist stance that has sometimes resulted in confrontational politics. With no documented track record of public service or development work, her candidacy represents NTK's attempt to expand its footprint in the Tiruchirappalli region, appealing to voters seeking an alternative to established Dravidian parties.