The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially recognized Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) as a state party in Tamil Nadu. This recognition comes following the party’s performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls, where it garnered over 8% of the vote share, meeting the criteria outlined in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.However, the ECI has declined NTK’s request for two specific symbols—’Farmer Ploughing Land’ and ‘Tiger’—citing that the symbols either resemble already reserved ones or depict an animal, which is not permitted.
In an official communication dated January 10, ECI secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal advised NTK’s leadership to select a symbol from the list of free symbols available on the ECI’s website or propose three new symbols for the Commission’s consideration.
This milestone comes as NTK, along with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), demonstrated significant growth in the April 19 polls, fulfilling the requirements for state party recognition. The acknowledgment is expected to strengthen NTK’s position in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, further bolstering its influence in the region.
