New Delhi: On the 78th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister of TamilNadu J. Jayalalithaa, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday unveiled the third phase of its electoral promises for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
With the 2026 Assembly elections drawing closer, the AIADMK’s phased release of welfare promises signals an assertive campaign strategy aimed at consolidating support among key voter groups, including families, youth, fishermen, weavers, and small traders.
Speaking to the media, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said the party had marked Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary in a grand manner and reiterated that it was systematically rolling out its poll commitments ahead of the elections. “For the upcoming Assembly elections, we have already announced our promises, and today we are releasing the third phase,” he stated.
Detailing the announcements, Palaniswami said that to ease the financial burden on families, a relief assistance of ₹10,000 would be provided to every household if the AIADMK returns to power. He added that graduates registered with employment exchanges and awaiting jobs would receive a monthly assistance of ₹2,000, while those educated up to Higher Secondary (+2) and registered would be given ₹1,000 per month. The relief amount for fishermen during the annual fishing ban period would be increased from ₹8,000 to ₹12,000. Additionally, besides the customary Pongal gift hamper distributed during Thai Pongal, a cash assistance of ₹1,000 would also be provided.
The party also promised enhanced free electricity benefits for weavers, proposing to raise the free power supply for handloom weavers from 300 units to 450 units and for power loom weavers from 1,000 units to 1,400 units. Further, loans taken from cooperative banks by small traders operating pavement shops in urban areas would be waived.
Invoking Jayalalithaa’s legacy, Palaniswami recalled the 2015 Global Investors’ Meet held under her leadership to spur industrial growth. He said that if voted to power, the AIADMK would once again prioritise attracting investments and generating employment opportunities for youth. Asserting the party’s administrative credentials, he said the AIADMK government had delivered effective governance during the COVID-19 period and would ensure that the announced schemes are implemented without discrimination by boosting the state’s revenue.
Targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Palaniswami accused Chief Minister M. K. Stalin of heading an “inefficient” administration that had imposed a heavy financial burden on citizens. He alleged that over the past five years, prices of essential commodities had risen significantly and that property tax, house tax, electricity charges, and drinking water tax had all been increased, multiplying the daily expenses of families. He further claimed that the present government was “on ventilator support,” adding that people were suffering under its rule.
Responding to the announcements, K. Selvaperundagai, President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, dismissed the promises as an “election stunt.” He asserted that the AIADMK could not ensure good governance and claimed that 85 per cent of the commitments made by the current government had already been fulfilled, adding that the remaining promises would be implemented in due course.
