DMK Expands To 525 Welfare Promises; AIADMK Announces 297 Commitments Ahead Of TN Polls

With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approaching, the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK have unveiled comprehensive manifestos packed with welfare-oriented promises, targeting women, farmers, low-income households, and students. The announcements highlight the intensifying “welfare race” as parties seek to win voter confidence.

The DMK, which had made 505 promises in the 2021 elections, has expanded its commitments to 525 assurances this year. The AIADMK, aiming for a return to power, has outlined 297 promises, focusing on a mix of welfare schemes and targeted subsidies. A major focus for both parties is women-centric initiatives. DMK Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that homemakers from non-income tax-paying families would receive Rs 8,000 coupons for household appliances and pledged to double the monthly financial assistance for women from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.

The AIADMK, led by General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, proposed free refrigerators for ration card holders and a Rs 2,000 subsidy for all family card holders under the ‘Kula Vilakku’ scheme. Both parties have promised increased old-age pensions, rising from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000, and higher fishing ban relief assistance, from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000. For persons with disabilities, the DMK plans an allowance of Rs 2,500, while the AIADMK has proposed Rs 2,000.

Also Read: AIADMK Releases Third and Final List of 17 Candidates in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

In education, the DMK has committed to distributing free laptops to 35 lakh higher education students over five years. Similarly, the AIADMK promises laptops for students in government and government-aided colleges. Housing and rural development are also central: the DMK aims to construct 10 lakh houses in five years, while the AIADMK plans to provide free housing under its ‘Amma Illam’ scheme. Farmers are targeted with promises to raise the minimum support price for paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.

Healthcare initiatives differ slightly: the DMK seeks to raise the income ceiling for insurance eligibility to Rs 5 lakh with coverage up to Rs 10 lakh, whereas the AIADMK promises full government funding for major treatments including heart surgeries and cancer care. Both parties reaffirm their opposition to key aspects of the National Education Policy and have pledged to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s rights, including advocating for education to return to the State List.

As campaigning intensifies, the manifestos underline a fierce electoral contest driven by welfare politics and competitive populism, with both DMK and AIADMK seeking to capture voter support through extensive social and economic pledges across the state.

Also Read: AIADMK Releases Second List for TN Assembly Polls, Finalizing Key Contests