Seeman Vows to Always Oppose Periyar's Ideology

Chennai, Feb 10 (NationPress) Actor-turned-politician and founder of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Seeman, stated on Monday that he will consistently oppose the ideology of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.

Speaking to reporters in Trichy on Monday (February 10), Seeman accused that voting machines were manipulated in favor of the DMK candidate during the Erode East constituency elections.

“NTK needed just 1,000 more votes to secure our deposit, but despite the setback, we remain optimistic,” he expressed, showing appreciation to those who supported the party.

Seeman criticized the incumbent DMK, asserting that the party could only achieve electoral victories through various alliances. He highlighted that while NOTA (None of the Above) garnered only 797 votes in the last election, the count surged to 6,000 in the recent polls, with independent candidates further diluting the vote.

He declared himself as a “lone warrior” who doesn't need an army to triumph and reaffirmed that his political beliefs are staunchly against Dravidian parties.

“I hail from a Dravidian background, but now that I have clarity, I reject their ideology. They are not motivated by principles but by a scheme to exploit the populace,” he asserted.

Seeman’s statements have sparked controversy, even within his party, as he had previously identified with Periyarism and largely avoided open criticism of the social reformer.

Sources within NTK indicate that his change in stance was prompted by backlash from Dravidian ideologues following a speech he made about national poet Subramania Bharathi.

During a commemorative event for Bharathi’s death anniversary in December 2024, Seeman emphasized that Bharathi, despite being a Brahmin, fought against caste discrimination and promoted Tamil culture.

In contrast, he contended that Periyar had “insulted” the Tamil language and was misrepresented as a champion of Tamils. This position led to substantial criticism, culminating in a gathering of Dravidian supporters on January 5 to denounce Seeman’s views.

In response, Seeman reinforced his opposition, particularly contesting Periyar’s contentious remarks on social relationships. His ideological shift also aligns with NTK’s broader political strategy. NTK’s state secretary, Karthigaichelvan, mentioned that the party intends to challenge Periyar’s significance in Tamil Nadu politics.

“After DMK’s significant defeat in 2011, they sought to reestablish Periyarist ideology to conceal their internal issues,” he claimed. “Our leader has now decided to dismantle that perception.”

He also remarked that inquiries regarding electoral alliances and Periyar have been ongoing concerns for NTK. While Seeman had earlier indicated a desire to move beyond the subject, he has now committed to actively contesting Periyar’s ideology.