Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly Elections: AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami unveils party's poll manifesto

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday released the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections at the party headquarters in Chennai, outlining key promises and policy priorities as the Opposition party seeks to regain power in the state.

Expanding on its poll promises, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam said it would provide a free refrigerator to women heads of families holding rice ration cards, a key welfare measure aimed at households across the state.

Releasing the manifesto, Palaniswami also launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, accusing the government of fostering what he described as a “commission, collection corruption” regime in Chennai.


Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly Elections: NDA moves ahead on seat sharing, DMK camp stalls

He alleged that corruption had become systemic under the DMK’s rule.

The manifesto also promised a waiver of education loans obtained from banks, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on students and young graduates across the state.

In addition, the party assured that social security pensions for the elderly and other beneficiaries would be increased to Rs 2,000.

AIADMK-led alliance shows confidence ahead of poll battle

Meanwhile, G K Vasan, chief of the Tamil Maanila Congress, expressed confidence in the AIADMK-led alliance, saying it would “comfortably win” the April 23 Assembly polls.

After calling on Palaniswami at the party office on Tuesday, Vasan said, “The NDA is a winning alliance in Tamil Nadu. There is a positive wave for this alliance. Yesterday, I was not able to be present in AIADMK headquarters when all our alliance party leaders were present. Today, I met the General Secretary.”

Terming the meeting a “courtesy call”, he added, “I informed him about seat-sharing, (desired) constituencies. As an alliance party leader, I had a detailed talk with him. Soon, everything will be official.”

Also read: NDA seals Tamil Nadu seat pact: ADMK gets 178, BJP 27

Responding to the DMK’s criticism that key alliance decisions were being taken in Delhi, Vasan said, “No No. Not like that. Yesterday, everybody was here at the AIADMK party office.”

The developments come a day after the AIADMK-led alliance finalised seat-sharing arrangements, allocating 27 seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, and 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam.

Elections to the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Assembly are scheduled to be held on April 23.