Nagaraj.R

R. Nagaraj, a 27-year-old electrician and graduate, is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections from Veppanahalli constituency on a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) ticket. With modest declared assets of Rs. 5.22 lakhs and no criminal record, Nagaraj represents a young, first-time candidate from a party that has been steadily growing its presence in Tamil Nadu politics. Veppanahalli, located in Krishnagiri district, has traditionally been a DMK-AIADMK battleground, with AIADMK's K.P. Munusamy winning in 2021 with 45.87% votes and DMK's P. Murugan winning in 2016 with 46.01% votes. NTK, founded by former film director Seeman in 2010, has positioned itself as a Tamil nationalist alternative to the Dravidian mainstream parties. The party's vote share has grown impressively from 1.10% in 2016 Assembly elections to 6.72% in 2021, and further to 8.19% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, making it eligible for state-party recognition. The party contested all 234 Assembly seats in 2026, fielding candidates across Tamil Nadu without forming alliances with major parties. However, NTK has also courted controversy. The party has been involved in disrupting film screenings, with the Madras High Court directing police protection for theatres and 16 NTK cadres arrested. Party chief Seeman has faced sedition charges for statements advocating armed retrieval of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka. Additionally, an NTK youth wing secretary was arrested in Krishnagiri district for alleged assault and harassment at a fake NCC camp. Despite these controversies, the party's 2026 manifesto focuses on decentralized governance, proposing multiple functional capitals in cities like Tiruchi, Coimbatore, and Madurai to reduce pressure on Chennai, along with anti-drug measures and agricultural reforms. Voters in Veppanahalli should know that Nagaraj represents a growing regional party with no previous electoral experience himself, entering a constituency where established parties have strong roots. While his personal record is clean and his modest financial profile matches his declared profession, he faces an uphill battle against DMK and AIADMK candidates in a constituency where NTK is yet to establish a significant foothold.