Chennai, July 14 (IANS) A proposal to field Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman as a common opposition candidate in the forthcoming Ambasamudram Assembly by-election in Tamil Nadu appears to have hit a dead end, with strong resistance emerging from within his own party over the idea of accepting support from the Dravidian majors.
The proposal reportedly gained momentum after sections of the opposition explored the possibility of projecting Seeman as a consensus candidate to consolidate anti-government votes. However, senior NTK functionaries and cadres are said to have objected to the move, arguing that it would run contrary to the party’s long-standing policy of contesting elections independently.
Political speculation intensified after Seeman was seen sharing the stage with DMK President M.K. Stalin and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin at separate public events. The appearances triggered discussions in political circles about a possible shift in the relationship between the NTK and the DMK, particularly after the emergence of TVK as a major political force in the state.
The debate gathered further attention when VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan publicly claimed that the DMK was considering backing Seeman as a common opposition candidate in the bypoll.
He also remarked that Seeman, once among the DMK’s strongest critics, now appeared to have developed cordial ties with the party leadership.
Despite the political buzz, sources said the proposal failed to find favour within the NTK. Many office-bearers reportedly maintained that accepting support from either the DMK or the AIADMK would weaken the party’s ideological identity, which has been built over more than 15 years through its consistent opposition to both Dravidian parties.
Several party leaders are understood to have warned that such a move could alienate the NTK’s core supporters, who have backed the party for its independent political stance rather than electoral alliances.
Talk of Seeman entering the bypoll gathered pace after some party functionaries urged him to contest the seat in an effort to revive the NTK’s political fortunes following its disappointing performance in the 2026 Assembly elections. Seeman, who contested from Karaikudi, lost his deposit, while the party’s vote share fell to around four per cent from over eight per cent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
With the by-election dates to be declared soon, sources indicated that Seeman has, for the present, decided to shelve the proposal in view of the widespread opposition from within the party and the political debate surrounding the move.
–IANS
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