We are not discouraged by the by-election defeat; we are moving forward with confidence, says the party’s key functionary Idumbavanam Karthik. Speaking further with him...
How do you view the by-election results in Dharapuram and Madurantakam?
This by-election result is not acceptable. We are disappointed with the people; we are upset, and we feel they should not have given this result. At the same time, we see by-elections themselves as a massacre of democracy; normally, when by-elections are held, they murder democracy by giving money and gifts there. But this time, they have murdered democracy, created a by-election, and won here; however you look at it, this is not acceptable, this is a farce.
The fact that your party’s votes have decreased in both constituencies—what impact has that had within the party?

This election did not create a major impact within the Naam Tamilar Katchi. There is always the disappointment that people did not give recognition for our hard work; that people did not understand us. But after this election result, it is not as if we have become discouraged or given up. We still feel a sense of responsibility to further politicize the people, to make them even more aware, and to help them move beyond this glamour of the screen; so we are moving forward with hope.
Why do you think people have not recognized the Naam Tamilar Katchi?
People did not vote after analyzing TVK’s ideology or election manifesto. They voted for an actor they liked and knew well. That screen image alone is Vijay’s only capital; that alone has given him success.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan has criticized that the people around Seeman are caste fanatics and religious extremists, hasn’t he?
What Thirumavalavan has is blatant malice, resentment, and jealousy; there is nothing more to say beyond that. Because in the Naam Tamilar Katchi, who was the one who acted with casteism and communalism?.., the MLA from TVK, Jagannath Mishra, whom he can support and has allied with, has spoken on a public stage saying, "I am a caste fanatic, and I take pride in caste fanaticism."

They have made him a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Likewise, Nirmal Kumar was someone who spoke very strongly for the BJP’s positions, who echoed the BJP’s voice, who wore the RSS’s khaki uniform and took part in the Shakha camp; Vijay brought him in and placed him as one of the key leaders of the TVK, and even gave him a ministerial responsibility. What is brother Thirumavalavan going to say about this?
You say, "Those in the Naam Tamilar Katchi have no wisdom, no maturity, no composure"; at the Ulundurpet conference, you ran away—why did you run away? Was there even a trace of discipline, order, or neatness there? Can a party worker who does not even respect the party leader come together as an organized body?.., At the Trichy conference of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, was there even a single small disturbance or unnecessary uproar? .., In a VCK meeting, a party worker climbs onto the stage and creates a commotion—has any Naam Tamilar Katchi worker done that?
Many people on social media are saying that the Naam Tamilar Katchi is close to the DMK. Even some of those who recently left your party are making critical remarks, aren’t they?
People who have left Naam Tamilar will naturally criticize the Naam Tamilar Party, so let’s set that aside. In what way has the Naam Tamilar Party been close to the DMK? The TVK guy has no understanding of taking a stand on issues. On any issue, you can only stand with the side that is being affected. For example, when Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Parliament, brother Seeman issued a statement calling it a murder of democracy. Because in that issue, Rahul Gandhi was the one who was affected. When A. Raja spoke harshly about Edappadi Palaniswami, we condemned it. We have spoken on the DMK side in the same way too. Walking out of the assembly is a long-standing practice; it is an expression of protest.

If they cannot debate while reading Rule 110, they will walk out, go outside, meet the media, and express their opposition; walking out is a democratic method that opposition parties can use. But it is wrong for the Chief Minister to belittle it by saying, “They are running away.” That is what we are condemning. You are undermining dignity by gesturing in the Assembly. That is what we condemned. For that, they immediately brand it as support for the DMK.
You are close to DMK leaders, and there are even allegations related to money, aren’t there?
This is a false myth. If money were the main thing for the Naam Tamilar Katchi, why would we need to wait until 2026? For an 8 percent vote share, how much is it worth in today’s elections? At the very least, 500 crore rupees. Even a letterhead movement is given 10 crore rupees for campaigning. In that case, if the Naam Tamilar Katchi, which has secured 8 percent of the votes, had gone into an alliance with the AIADMK or the BJP, how much would they have given? We are standing firm without doing that. In Tamil Nadu, after suffering so many defeats, which party is not even thinking about an alliance?
There are reports that such voices are now emerging within your own party?
Not at all; we are clear about that. Naam Tamilar Katchi stands for an ideology and principles. If an alternative political force that can work for Tamil welfare comes forward, we can consider accepting it. If brother Velmurugan comes forward to lead Naam Tamilar Katchi, we will welcome him wholeheartedly; but there is no chance of us coming under anyone’s leadership.

We are not likely to accept another leadership and dissolve ourselves; perhaps if there is an alliance, it should be a positive force, and then we can see if it comes under the leadership of the Naam Tamilar Katchi. Otherwise, we are not likely to accept the leadership of the DMK, the AIADMK, or the BJP.
Criticisms are being raised that we have not developed people at the district level in the Naam Tamilar Katchi, aren’t they?
Please turn the public meetings and protests of the Naam Tamilar Katchi into news through the media and take them to the people. For 16 years, Naam Tamilar has not received proper media attention. Give us the same spotlight you give to the DMK, AIADMK, and TVK. In our party, even the rank-and-file worker has ideological maturity and composure.
News reports said that Seeman would contest in the Ambasamudram constituency. Are you still firm on that position?
The leadership will officially announce this on the matter.
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