The document targets ration card holders with enhanced food security and household appliances, positioning the party as a champion of the poor against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Of the many promises, the manifesto guarantees lentils alongside the existing free rice scheme for all ration card holders, as an attempt to extend nutritional support for low-income families. It promises one free refrigerator per rice ration card-holding household, specifically for women heads of families, to improve food storage and daily life.
Additional highlights include hiking social security pensions to Rs 2,000 monthly for the elderly and vulnerable, and waiving all education loans from banks to aid students. Among other announcements are a Rs 2,000 monthly cash aid under the Kulavilakku Scheme, credited to women heads’ accounts, free bus travel for men and women in town buses, 150 working days under rural employment schemes, with a surge from 125 earlier, and Rs 25,000 two-wheeler subsidies for 5 lakh women.
The manifesto focused on housing, jobs, and anti-corruption measures, with vowing to end the DMK rule. It promises Rs 38,314 crore annual spending on schemes, up from Rs 20,821 crore despite economic concerns.
It stated that any such lapses in law and order in Tamil Nadu will be dealt with strictly. To completely eradicate ganja and drugs in Tamil Nadu, an Anti-Drug Task Force will be formed under the direct control of the Chief Minister and drug peddlers will be arrested and detained under the Goondas Act, it added.
The AIADMK also promises to urge the Centre to swiftly conduct a caste-based census, in line with the Caste-based Census Commission already formed during the regime of Palaniswami.
“The majority of the society needs employment, safety, opportunities, and income. It is a comprehensive manifesto with a focus on women, children, employment for youth and others. We have considered the various strata of the society in mind for the manifesto and ensured that everyone is taken care of,” AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathya told ThePrint.
Under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the AIADMK is expected to contest more than 170 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party has been allotted 27 seats, followed by the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) with 18 and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) with 11.
Earlier, Stalin had described the DMK’s upcoming manifesto as a “vision-oriented” Dravidian Model 2.0, with a vision statement that promised expansions in education and skill development, with plans to establish world-class schools, smart classrooms, modern libraries, Centers of Excellence, and AI-integrated learning systems.
Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson T.K.S Elangovan exuded confidence that the party would win the election. “We rely on our performance. The NDA has not done anything for the state, and they do not even give the due share of funds. They have taken away the commercial taxes with GST. The BJP is anti-Tamil. So, the people of Tamil Nadu know that no schemes are coming to Tamil Nadu because of the BJP,” he told ANI.
(Edited by Tony Rai)