It was an evening around 5 pm during the heat of the 2026 assembly elections. The sun was beginning to set. A young couple walked door to door, their little child unaware of what his parents were doing trudging alongside them.
A young couple walked door to door, their little child trudging alongside them. In the child’s small hand was a ₹10 pack of Good Day biscuits, which he nibbled on slowly as they moved from house to house. The parents looked exhausted. They carried no flashy banners, no campaign vehicles, and clearly had very little money. Yet there was something powerful in their eyes – a quiet, stubborn hope. You could almost hear the silent question in their hearts: “Won’t some real change come?”
That family was part of Naam Tamilar Katchi, campaigning for Seeman’s vision. That single, unassuming moment stayed with me long after.
This party neither has money or the machinery like the others do. But the conviction of Seeman – no money, no freebie, no alliance, no EVR, no TASMAC. These positions go directly against the very DNA of Dravidian politics. His ideology is rooted firmly in putting Tamil Nadu’s interests first, and that kind of honest, uncompromising approach deserves genuine appreciation and political recognition.
As the august Tamil Nadu Assembly turns into a circus with theatrical antics of an actor, there needs to be someone who can bring quality and depth in debates. Seeman is that leader.
Substance Over Spectacle
Look at the contrast. While some new entrants have turned politics into a celebrity-driven spectacle — full of hype, star power, and little else — Seeman represents depth and discipline. TVK, which many hoped would bring fresh energy, has increasingly looked like a circus led by a star joker. The antics of the Chief Minister (or rather Chief Actor) in the Assembly, and the rebuttal from his political nemesis was a new low in Tamil Nadu’s political discourse.
Not just that. This TVK government shows little competence or even willingness to learn the complexities of governance, and often relies on satisfying its emotionally charged but directionless zombie-like crowd through fan-edits and reels.
The much-talked-about freebie promises — the Thai Maaman Gold Ring Scheme, the ₹2500 monthly scheme, and others — are financially unviable. They may sound attractive in the short term but will burden the state’s finances for years to come. Someone needs to call this out so that our future generations don’t have to pay exorbitant taxes to service this mindless debt.
Seeman, on the other hand, has taken a more responsible path. He has openly appreciated aspects of the Gujarat model — not blindly, but for its focus on industrial growth, infrastructure, and self-reliance. His own manifesto reflected this maturity. Instead of competing in a freebie arms race, NTK focused on sustainable development, skill-building, job creation, and good governance. This is leadership with foresight, not short-term vote-catching tactics.
A Disciplined Force With Deep Roots
One of Seeman’s greatest strengths is the remarkable discipline and consistency he has instilled in his party. Even at his election rallies, one can witness an almost RSS-like discipline among his cadres — neatly arranging chairs after the event, quietly collecting waste, and carrying their own food from home instead of littering the ground. Compare this with the zombie-like behaviour of TVK cadres.
Seeman himself brings a rare combination to the table. His powerful oratory, rooted in Tamil literature, poetry, and history, moves audiences deeply. He doesn’t just deliver speeches — he connects emotionally and intellectually. When he speaks about Tamil identity, water rights, or farmer issues, it comes from conviction, not calculation. This depth will bring much-needed quality and substance to debates inside the Assembly, raising the level of discussion far beyond the usual noise.
He’ll Make Vijay Sweat
Right now Tamil Nadu faces a serious challenge with Karnataka moving forward on the Mekedatu dam project. This is not some distant issue — it directly threatens the Cauvery flow and the livelihood of millions of farmers in our delta regions. At such a time, Tamil Nadu cannot afford weak, compromised voices in the Assembly. Unfortunately, Joseph Vijay’s TVK, who is alliance with Congress, risks weakening Tamil Nadu’s bargaining position even further. We don’t know if he’ll be able to uncompromisingly raise the issue with the Congress government in Karnataka.
We need someone who will stand up without fear or favour and roar in defence of Tamil interests. Seeman is that voice. In the Assembly, he will take Joseph Vijay to task and make him squeal. He will confront, question, and demand answers. That kind of fierce, principled opposition is exactly what the House lacks today.
He’ll Make Even Other Opposition Parties Act
Tamil Nadu has suffered enough from dynastic politics, where power passes like family property and governance sometimes feels like a part-time hobby. Leaders who treat serious public office casually cannot deliver the focused, serious administration the state needs. Seeman represents the opposite — a leader who has dedicated his life to a cause, built a movement brick by brick, and remained consistent through victories and setbacks alike. With both DMK and ADMK in doldrums, we need a credible leader who will give other parties FOMO.
In the Assembly, Seeman will not only challenge the ruling dispensation but also hold other opposition forces accountable. Tamil Nadu needs this kind of robust, multi-directional accountability.
Why Seeman’s Tamil Nationalism Should Not Be Equated With Separatism
Nationalists often hesitate to support Seeman, viewing his strong Tamil nationalist politics as a ‘separatist force’. This concern, while understandable, needs nuance. If the BJP has no hesitation in allying with a robust regional party like the Telugu Desam Party, why should a Tamil nationalist party like Naam Tamilar Katchi be treated with undue suspicion? Seeman has repeatedly clarified that his politics is not against India, but firmly for the dignity, rights, and development of Tamil Nadu within India. When he files his nomination or takes oath as MLA, he will swear allegiance to the Constitution and the unity and integrity of the nation — just like every other elected representative. His brand of Tamil nationalism is essentially a cultural and political assertion, not separatism.
Moreover, even committed nationalists would find it difficult to glorify Bharathiyar — the great Tamil poet and freedom fighter — with the same passion, depth, and emotional intensity that Seeman does.That said, like every true nationalist, this writer too would have serious reservations if Seeman ever extends support to convicted terrorists, such as those involved in the Coimbatore bomb blasts or shares stage with anti-India elements.
Why Ambasamudram Matters
Ambasamudram is no ordinary constituency. It represents the hardworking, culturally rich soul of southern Tamil Nadu — agrarian communities, temple traditions, and people who value honour and self-respect. They deserve a representative who understands their struggles and will fight for them without becoming just another number in a political machine.
Seeman can be that fighter. He will raise issues that matter to the constituency — irrigation, farmer welfare, industrial opportunities without exploitation, and protection of local culture. More importantly, he will take these local concerns to the larger stage and link them with Tamil Nadu’s broader interests, especially on inter-state water disputes.
A Seeman victory in Ambasamudram would send a powerful message across the state: the people still believe in politics of conviction. It would encourage more young leaders to choose substance over stardom and discipline over drama. It would prove that even without money power or big alliances, a leader with roots, vision, and courage can win the trust of the people.
The families like the one I saw that evening — ordinary people walking kilometres with their children, sustained only by hope — represent the best of Tamil Nadu. They are not asking for miracles. They are simply asking for a chance at real change. Sending Seeman to the Assembly would honour that hope.
Vallavaraayan is a political writer.
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