The documents released by the parties ahead of the April 23 election prioritise women’s welfare, energy security, and radical infrastructure shifts
In this election cycle, the ‘woman voter’ has become the primary battleground. Representational pic/AP
As Tamil Nadu heads towards a high-stakes assembly election on April 23, the three major political fronts have unveiled their final manifestos, effectively turning the poll battle into a “superstar” race of welfare promises. With the DMK looking to defend its fort, the AIADMK pushing for a massive return, and the BJP aiming to establish itself as a primary alternative, the documents released prioritise women’s welfare, energy security, and radical infrastructure shifts.
What are the flagship promises for women in the 2026 manifestos?
In this election cycle, the “woman voter” has become the primary battleground. Chief Minister MK Stalin, while unveiling the DMK manifesto, famously dubbed it a “superstar” document for its focus on homemakers. The DMK has introduced the Illatharasi Scheme, which provides homemakers with an Rs 8,000 coupon to purchase or exchange domestic appliances of their choice. This builds upon their existing monthly “rights grant” and signals a shift from direct cash to consumer-led empowerment.
The AIADMK has responded with a more traditional yet substantial “gift” model. Their manifesto promises free refrigerators to all women heads of families holding rice ration cards. Additionally, the party has pledged to double the social security pension to Rs 2,000 and provide a monthly Kula Vilakku allowance to match the DMK’s current payouts. Not to be outpaced, the BJP manifesto has promised Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to all women heads of households, alongside a one-time Rs 10,000 grant to every household in the state.
How do the parties plan to tackle rising energy and living costs?
Energy policy has emerged as a surprisingly central theme in 2026. The AIADMK has promised three free cooking gas cylinders per year for every ration cardholder, a move mirrored by the BJP, which specified the cylinders would be gifted during Pongal, Tamil Puthandu, and Deepavali. The AIADMK has also made a major play for the middle class by promising to revise electricity tariffs for common facilities in multi-storey apartments and providing subsidies of up to Rs 60,000 for rooftop solar panels.
The DMK is leaning heavily into the “green transition” as a cost-saving measure, pledging to increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption by 30% by 2030 and restoring the state’s mangroves as part of a “war footing” climate action plan. Meanwhile, the BJP’s infrastructure vision focuses on connectivity, promising high-speed rail corridors linking Chennai to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, alongside new Sleeper Vande Bharat trains to major Indian metros, aiming to lower the long-term logistical costs for the state’s residents.
What is being promised for the youth and the agrarian sector?
To capture the youth vote, the AIADMK has pledged a total waiver of education loans and an increase in the medical school reservation for government school students from 7.5% to 10.5%. They are also eyeing a revival of the “Amma Clinics” to generate healthcare jobs. The BJP is focusing on safety and technology, promising 100% CCTV coverage in schools and buses and a streamlined “zero-FIR” system to tackle crimes against women, alongside interest-free loans of up to Rs 50 lakh for women-led manufacturing units.
For the farmers, the battle is over the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The AIADMK has promised to fix the MSP for paddy at Rs 3,500 per quintal (up from approximately Rs 2,500) and sugar cane at Rs 4,500 per tonne. They have also proposed a Rs 25 lakh insurance cover for fishermen who die at sea. Actor Vijay’s newly formed TVK, also set to release a full manifesto on April 16, has already teased a full crop loan waiver for small farmers owning fewer than five acres, ensuring that the agrarian vote remains split across the major fronts.
April 15, 2026, 07:00 IST
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