AIADMK manifesto for Tamil Nadu election 2026: Party promises free refrigerators, LPG cylinders and many more | Chennai News
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami releasing the party poll manifesto in Chennai on Tuesday. Photo by A Prathap
CHENNAI: Free refrigerators for all rice ration card holders and enhanced reservation for govt school students clearing NEET — from 7.5% to 10% — to pursue medical education featured among the key promises in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’S manifesto for the April 23 assembly poll in Tamil Nadu.Releasing the document, which lists 297 assurances under 31 heads, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami described it as a roadmap for governance. “I have released the manifesto, an action plan for the next five years for a ‘Secure Tamil Nadu – Admirable Growth’ that senses the needs and pains of every individual in Tamil Nadu and fulfils their aspirations,” he said, flanked by senior leaders at the party headquarters.The free refrigerator announcement stands out, targeting around 2.22 crore rice ration card holders across the state. The promise revives memories of populist and women-centric welfare schemes introduced by late J Jayalalithaa — such as free mixer grinders and table fans — and the free colour television scheme and free LPG connections and gas stove scheme rolled out by late M Karunanidhi.
He described the party’s manifesto as the “hero of the election” and said that the 7.5% reservation was benefiting more than 3,000 govt students to pursue medicine. It would be increased by 2.5% to benefit more. He said that under the chapter ‘central, state federal system,’ they would follow Dravidian icon C N Annadurai’s principle, “We will extend our hand for friendship and raise our voice for rights” to protect the rights of TN.Notably, some assurances made by Palaniswami during the 2021 assembly elections, including free washing machines, were missing this time. The number of free LPG cylinders has also been scaled down to three per year compared to the party’s 2021 poll promises.In the healthcare sector, IVF treatment would be brought under the chief minister’s health insurance scheme, said the manifesto.The party has promised free Wi-Fi facilities at all tourist destinations to boost tourism infrastructure. Additionally, households installing solar panels would receive a subsidy of up to Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW unit.It outlined infrastructure plans, including setting up an international cricket stadium in Coimbatore. The party has promised to expedite metro rail projects in Madurai and Coimbatore, and fast-track the proposed metro link between Kilambakkam and Chennai international airport. However, it comes amid the ruling DMK having already laid the foundation stone for the cricket stadium in Coimbatore and awaiting Union govt approval for the metro rail projects, setting up competing claims ahead of the polls.The other populist promises include doubling the monthly assistance under the women’s scheme from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, while also announcing a one-time family relief of Rs 10,000 to cushion the impact of rising prices. It has promised free bus travel for men, extending the existing benefit for women. The manifesto also promises three free LPG cylinders every year for each ration card holder and a complete waiver of education loans. “We managed the state’s fiscal during Covid pandemic. We will take appropriate measures to create revenue generation opportunities and implement the schemes,” he said.It emphasises establishing an exclusive anti-drug task force to curb ganja and other contraband in the state. This promise aimed at strengthening their campaign on the alleged breakdown of the law and order situation under the DMK regime.Catering to farming and fishermen communities, AIADMK promised crop loans availed through cooperative societies would be waived, the MSP for paddy would be fixed at Rs 3,500 per quintal, and steps would be taken to ensure a remunerative price of Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane. It promises a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to fishermen who die during fishing expeditions.
