Arrest of NTK leader sparks political storm in Tamil Nadu

The arrest of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) functionary M. Karthika has triggered sharp political reactions in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of using the police to target its critics.

Karthika, who contested the October 6 by-election in Dharapuram but lost to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate P. Sathyabama, was arrested along with her husband, Murugachandra Kumar. Dharapuram police took the couple into custody at their residence in Coimbatore, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the police, a case had been registered against Karthika and seven others, including her husband, two days before the by-election. The case concerns an alleged road blockade on the Dharapuram–Mulanur main road during a protest over the denial of police permission for her campaign event, which coincided with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s roadshow.

Karthika is also the state coordinator of NTK’s women’s wing. Separate allegations against her concern a protest outside a local police station over the removal of a party banner and remarks allegedly made about the Chief Minister during the dispute.

NTK chief coordinator Seeman condemned the arrest, describing it as political retaliation and accusing the TVK government of adopting authoritarian methods. The party has maintained that the case against Karthika is unfounded.

In a statement shared on X, the party’s IT wing alleged that she was detained during a pre-dawn operation and taken away by a large police contingent before she could speak to reporters waiting outside. The party also claimed that she spent seven hours at the police station.

The AIADMK joined the criticism, with opposition voices questioning whether cases connected to election-period protests were being used to intimidate political rivals.

Former Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin also criticised the action. He argued that political disagreements should be addressed through public debate rather than arrests and accused the TVK administration of showing little tolerance for dissent.

Stalin further alleged that the government had misused its authority during the by-election period and said the detention of NTK members for challenging the administration raised serious concerns about democratic freedoms.

The arrest has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling TVK and opposition parties, with the circumstances of the case and the competing allegations becoming a fresh point of contention in the State.