Tamil Nadu Today newsletter: AIADMK promises free refrigerators in its manifesto

1. AIADMK manifesto promises free refrigerators

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami released the party’s poll manifesto in Chennai. The principal opposition party announced free refrigerators for all rice ration cardholders if his party is voted to power in the 2026 Assembly election. Addressing journalists, Palaniswami said, “The free fridge is meant to reduce the household workload of homemakers.”

Also, he assured to provide one kilogram of dal and one litre of cooking oil for free to rice category ration cardholders in the State.

2. DMK alliance seat-share talks: DMDK gets 10 seats, VCK allotted 8 seats, MNM stays away from poll

In a late evening development, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), led by Premallatha Vijayakant, has been allocated 10 seats in the DMK led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) for the upcoming Assembly election in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier in the day, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol. Thirumavalavan, was allocated eight seats in the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. Of these, the party will contest six reserved Assembly segments and two general constituencies. Notably, upset over the allocation of just one Assembly seat in Puducherry, Mr. Thirumavalavan announced that his party would contest alone in the Union Territory (UT), in three constituencies — Ossudu, Nettappakkam, and Uzhavarkarai.

On the other hand, Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam, another ally of the ruling DMK, announced that it would not contest in the upcoming polls.

3. Ponmudy moves Madras High Court to set aside BJP councillor’s complaint

DMK leader and former Minister K. Ponmudy has approached the Madras High Court to set aside a private complaint lodged against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Greater Chennai Corporation councillor, Uma Anandan, for comments he made in 2025, which were criticised for being offensive to Vaishnavites, Saivites, and women.