Can Puthiya Tamilagam's solo fight create a big impact in Tamil Nadu polls? Party could tilt South TN battles

Puthiya Tamilagam, which has a strong support base in southern Tamil Nadu districts like Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram, has announced that it will contest alone in the upcoming elections.

The party, led by K. Krishnasamy, is reported to have held discussions with major players in Tamil Nadu before deciding to go solo.

According to media reports, the party, which does not currently have any MLAs in the state assembly, will contest in as many as 70 assembly seats where it sees a high probability of winning. The decision was taken after a two-day meeting held in Coimbatore.

The party, which had allied with AIADMK in multiple assembly polls in the past, had contested alone in 60 seats in the 2021 election. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party contested and lost one seat in alliance with AIADMK.

Puthiya Tamilagam seeks to consolidate the Devendra Kula Vellalar vote bank, a predominant community in southern Tamil Nadu. Media reports suggest that the party has been gaining influence in the region over the past 30 years.

The party has enough influence to determine or impact the fate of candidates in southern districts like Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar.

The talks with AIADMK reportedly failed after Krishnasamy demanded 15 seats in the assembly polls and a Rajya Sabha seat. Krishnasamy, in a statement, said the party, which has the support of more than one crore Devendra Kula Vellalar people, decided to contest the elections alone after it was not given due political recognition.

The party will release the list of candidates on Sunday.