Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) coordinator Seeman has sparked a fresh political controversy by alleging internal power struggles within the DMK’s first family, claiming that Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi has been denied an Assembly election ticket to protect Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s political ascent.
Speaking to reporters, Seeman questioned the DMK’s seat allocation strategy and its approach towards both alliance partners and its own senior leaders.
“You know very well who will oppose whom in state politics. You already know the answer to what you are asking me. If they don’t even give a seat to Kanimozhi, Kalaignar’s daughter, how will they give seats to the Communists? These people are asking, ‘Give us one more seat, give us one more seat.’ But she is a strong personality. If she enters state politics, they would think it would become a big obstacle to projecting Udhayanidhi in the future. You understand this, and that’s why you are asking me. That is why they won’t allow her to come here. They won’t allow it, sir. You already know that. No matter what, they would think she is not just a woman from the family but someone who could influence things differently. Do you understand?” Seeman said.
His remarks come amid ongoing seat-sharing negotiations within the DMK-led alliance ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
As reported in NDTV, sources indicated that Kanimozhi, a two-time MP from Thoothukudi and one of the DMK’s most recognisable faces, was keen to contest the Assembly polls and play a more active role in state politics. However, party leadership is understood to be reluctant to facilitate her entry into the state political arena.
Seeman alleged that this reluctance reflects deeper internal dynamics within the DMK, suggesting that Kanimozhi’s growing influence could be seen as a challenge to Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is widely regarded as Chief Minister MK Stalin’s political heir.
While Udhayanidhi currently serves as Deputy Chief Minister, Kanimozhi continues to hold significant appeal among the party’s ideological and intellectual base and remains its most prominent female leader.
Seeman also linked the issue to broader alliance politics, questioning how the DMK could accommodate demands from Left parties while allegedly sidelining its own senior figures.
In a separate remark, he commented on Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader Velmurugan’s exit from the alliance and his allegations of corruption against ministers.
“Regarding Velmurugan leaving the alliance and saying he will release corruption allegations with evidence against ministers – what should I say about that? We are all of the same blood, the same people. He has taken a stand; what comment can I give on that? There is nothing much to say. Instead, you should appreciate that he is saying this now. You should be proud that he is raising these allegations now. He is warning you not to elect them again next time. For that, you should be thankful. Rather than surrendering just for one more seat and saying ‘yes’ to everything, he has come out and is warning people not to vote for them next time. You should appreciate that,” Seeman said.
Seeman’s comments come at a time when the DMK is finalising seat-sharing arrangements with multiple alliance partners, with negotiations reportedly becoming increasingly complex as more parties seek a share of constituencies.
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