AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, resuming his statewide campaign in Thiruporur, Chengalpattu district, pledged that his party would secure 150 guaranteed working days under the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme if elected in 2026. He claimed the increase from 100 to 125 days was achieved due to AIADMK's pressure on the central government.

Palaniswami accused Chief Minister M K Stalin of misleading the public by claiming the rural employment guarantee might be scrapped, while highlighting that the DMK had promised to raise days to 150 during its 2021 campaign but failed to deliver even 100 days effectively. He stated the AIADMK would push alliance partner BJP to extend it to 150 days and hike wages.

The opposition leader contrasted his party's governance during the COVID-19 period, noting financial stability without raising taxes or tariffs despite revenue shortages, against the current DMK regime's heavy borrowing. He alleged Tamil Nadu's debt had surged to Rs 4.38 lakh crore in four years, with projections reaching Rs 5.38 lakh crore by term end, far exceeding prior cumulative borrowings.

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Palaniswami questioned the utilisation of borrowed funds, pointing to a lack of major new projects or infrastructure. He also dismissed claims of job creation from Stalin's Germany visit, asserting promised 25 lakh positions from implemented agreements had not materialised.

In related developments, Palaniswami expelled former MLA Palpakki C Krishnan for anti-party activities amid rumours of joining actor Vijay's TVK party. He convened a district secretaries' meeting on December 31 to prepare for the 2026 polls, coinciding with the closure of ticket applications from cadre. At Sholinganallur, former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan presented him a gold-plated sceptre, underscoring the AIADMK-BJP alliance.

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