Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 approaching, the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK have unveiled detailed election manifestos, each packed with welfare-oriented commitments targeting women, farmers, and low-income households.
The DMK, which had made 505 promises in 2021, has increased its commitments to 525 assurances this year. Meanwhile, the AIADMK, seeking a return to power, has announced 297 promises, focusing on a combination of welfare schemes, subsidies, and targeted household benefits.
Coupons for homemakers DMK Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced Rs 8,000 coupons for homemakers from non-income taxpaying families to purchase or replace essential household appliances. The party also plans to double the monthly financial assistance for women from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami pledged free refrigerators for ration card holders and a Rs 2,000 subsidy under the ‘Kula Vilakku’ scheme for all family card holders. Both parties have promised increases in key social welfare programmes. The old-age pension has been raised from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000. Fishing ban relief to be increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000.
The DMK has proposed a disability allowance of Rs 2,500 and the AIADMK, Rs 2,000.
The DMK has promised free laptops for 35 lakh higher education students over five years, while the AIADMK has promised a similar scheme for students in government and government-aided colleges.
While the DMK has offered to construct 10 lakh houses in five years, the AIADMK has promised free housing for homeless families under ‘Amma Illam’. For farmers both parties propose to give Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane. While the DMK has promised an insurance coverage of up to ₹ 10 lakh, the AIADMK has assured eligible people of full government funding for major treatments, including heart surgeries and cancer care.
Opposition to NEP Both parties reaffirm their opposition to certain aspects of the National Education Policy (NEP) and pledge to restore education to the State List, emphasising Tamil Nadu’s rights and autonomy in policymaking.
