Karikalan B

Karikalan B, 28, is a graduate professional advocate contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections from the Vanur (SC) reserved constituency in Viluppuram district on a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) ticket. With declared assets of Rs. 11.70 lakhs and one pending criminal case involving charges of being part of an unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, and public nuisance, Karikalan represents a young face of the Tamil nationalist movement in the state. His party, NTK, was founded in 1958 and is currently led by Seeman, who has positioned it as an alternative to traditional Dravidian parties like DMK and AIADMK. The NTK has shown significant electoral growth, with its vote share jumping from 1.06% in 2016 to 6.89% in 2021, though it has yet to win any legislative seats. The party advocates for Tamil nationalism, an independent Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, and has been critical of what it calls 'freebie politics,' instead promoting an agriculture-centered economy and government-led industries based on local resources. However, the party and its leadership have faced multiple controversies, including legal cases under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against party chief Seeman for allegedly singing defamatory songs using caste-based language. The party has also been embroiled in controversies over aggressive protest tactics, with NTK cadres allegedly threatening and disrupting film screenings, leading to Madras High Court intervention. More seriously, an NTK youth wing secretary was arrested in connection with a fake NCC camp scandal involving the sexual assault of a minor, raising questions about internal party oversight and accountability. Party leader Seeman has also faced sedition charges for statements advocating arming Tamil fishermen. For voters in Vanur, Karikalan represents a choice between established political formations and an emerging Tamil nationalist alternative. While his party has tapped into dissatisfaction with mainstream politics, particularly among younger voters, it also carries the baggage of controversies and has yet to demonstrate governance experience. His relatively modest assets of Rs. 11.70 lakhs appear consistent with his declared profession as a young advocate. The pending criminal case involves charges related to unlawful assembly and public nuisance, which are relatively minor but reflect the party's confrontational protest style.