Ragupathi. P

Pazha Ragupathi, 56, is a postgraduate agriculturist contesting from Oddanchatram constituency on behalf of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. He has declared assets worth Rs. 2.12 crores (Rs. 52.47 lakhs movable and Rs. 1.60 crores immovable) with liabilities of Rs. 3.04 lakhs. His affidavit shows one criminal case with charges under IPC sections 143 (being member of unlawful assembly) and 341 (wrongful restraint), though neither charge falls under serious criminal categories. Ragupathi represents NTK, a Tamil nationalist party that positions itself as an alternative to traditional Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu. The party achieved a notable 6.72% vote share in the 2021 assembly elections, becoming the third-largest party in the state, though it has not yet won any legislative seats. In Oddanchatram specifically, the party's performance in 2021 was below its state average, with candidate T. Sakthi Devi securing only 2.47% of votes. Ragupathi will face competition from established parties including DMK, BJP, and TVK in the 2026 contest. The party has been involved in several controversies that may impact voter perception. In August 2024, an NTK district youth wing secretary from Krishnagiri was arrested for alleged sexual assault at a fake NCC camp, drawing negative media attention. More recently in August 2025, NTK protests against the film Kingdom resulted in attacks on theaters across Tamil Nadu, necessitating Madras High Court intervention to ensure police protection for screening venues. The party's chief coordinator Seeman has also faced legal battles, including a defamation case filed by a senior IPS officer, though the Madras High Court later set aside summons in that matter. Voters in Oddanchatram should note that Ragupathi represents a party with growing grassroots support but no legislative track record. His agricultural background aligns with his declared profession, and his asset declaration appears consistent with a farming occupation. However, there is limited publicly available information about his specific development work, community initiatives, or political activities in Oddanchatram constituency. The party's focus on Tamil nationalist causes and its positioning outside mainstream Dravidian politics offers an alternative political choice, though voters should weigh this against the party's lack of governance experience and recent controversies.