NTK’s Karthika Walks Out on Bail, Alleges Restrictions on Election Campaigning

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) functionary M. Karthika was released from Coimbatore Central Jail on Friday after a judicial magistrate granted her bail, following her arrest over alleged election code violations and a road blockade during Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s campaign roadshow.

Judicial Magistrate Uma Maheshwari granted bail on Thursday night on humanitarian grounds, taking into account Karthika’s responsibility for her two young daughters. Karthika left the prison with her husband, Muruga Chandrakumar, and seven other NTK members who had also been arrested.

The arrests were linked to an incident during Vijay’s roadshow on October 4, amid campaigning for the recently concluded Dharapuram Assembly by-election, which Karthika contested. The reported charges concerned alleged violations of the election code of conduct and the staging of a road blockade.

Speaking to reporters after her release, Karthika alleged that her campaign activities had been obstructed by the Chief Minister’s convoy. She also referred to multiple first information reports (FIRs) registered against her during the campaign and accused the state government of using legal action to suppress opposition voices.

“Restricting campaign access during elections is a direct violation of democratic principles,” Karthika said, arguing that candidates should have equal opportunities to reach voters without administrative intimidation.

Karthika also raised concerns over the cost of essential commodities, including rice, pulses and cooking oil, and cited unemployment and inflation as issues affecting the public. She criticised the state government’s handling of inter-state water disputes, specifically mentioning the Cauvery and Palar rivers.

Referring to her time in prison, Karthika described her imprisonment as a badge of honour. She cited freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, who was imprisoned at the same facility, noted that NTK leader Seeman had also been held there.

Her release followed the magistrate’s bail order. The reported account did not indicate that the charges had been withdrawn or that the case had been concluded. Karthika’s allegations against the government remain her claims, separate from the reported grounds for her arrest.