NTK candidate Karthika and five others arrested in Coimbatore

Police in Coimbatore have arrested Karthika, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) women's wing leader and Dharapuram by-election candidate, along with her husband and four others. The arrests took place at her residence in Coimbatore following cases registered during the Dharapuram assembly by-election.

The charges stem from incidents during the election campaign, including an alleged confrontation with police during a vehicle procession near the route used by Chief Minister Vijay, and the alleged storming of a police station following the removal of campaign banners.

Political leaders have reacted strongly to the arrests. DMK President M.K. Stalin condemned the move, describing the government as acting like a “dictatorial regime” and accusing it of using police for political vendettas. NTK coordinator Seeman also slammed the action as “low-level politics” and a peak of fascism, alleging that the arrests are a targeted retaliation for the party's activities during the election period.