Campaigning in the Kanyakumari constituency, Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate Maria Jennifer addressed the decline of the traditional stone sculpture industry. She noted that famous sculptures, including the Thiruvalluvar statue, were crafted by local artisans from Mylaudy, but the industry is now suffering due to difficulties in obtaining quality stones (tax stones). Due to lack of proper permissions, artisans are forced to source stones from other districts, leading to legal issues and fines.

Jennifer clarified that NTK is against illegal quarrying and the destruction of the Western Ghats for private profit, not against the sculpture industry itself. She promised that if elected, she would ensure artisans receive the necessary stones with proper permissions through a transparent process. She also pledged to promote local sculptures in the global market and establish a regulated system for transporting stones from quarries to workshops safely.