T.T.V. Dhinakaran. File
| Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has demanded that the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, be conferred posthumously on the leader of the Forward Bloc, U. Muthuramalinga Thevar, and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The party also wanted the Madurai International Airport to be named after Thevar.
These demands formed the highlights of the 32-page poll manifesto released by party general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Saturday (March 28, 2026).
Seeking the waiver of crop loans taken by farmers from cooperative and nationalised banks, the AMMK called for the expansion of the protected agricultural zone. Suggesting that a law be enacted for guaranteeing the provision of services by government bodies to people within a specified timeline, the AMMK favoured a caste survey to be undertaken by the State government, which would eventually not disturb the 69% quota system.
It also promised people that it would take steps toward the restoration of the denotified tribes status for denotified communities, which have been experiencing hardships in securing concessions from the Union government.
While reiterating that education be included again in the State List of the Constitution, the AMMK wanted the Kendriya Vidyalaya and P.M. Shri schools be opened in greater number. In north Tamil Nadu, an AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Sciences] and in the south, an IIT [Indian Institute of Technology] should be established, it said.
The party also committed itself not only to restoring the monthly billing of domestic consumers of electricity but also providing 100 units for free every month. It assured the people that the Old Pension Scheme be restored for employees of the State government. Also, the concession in railway fare for senior citizens, suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be brought back. The quantum of reservation for Muslims in education and employment should be increased to 5%.
The AMMK also said it would take steps for the revival of the Legislative Council, which was abolished 40 years ago, and halting the “privatisation” of State Transport Corporations. Amma Unavagams should be opened for every panchayat union. The party also assured the people that it would take efforts in finding a permanent solution to the legal hurdles in providing housing plots at concessional rates at the district level to full-time journalists.
Published – March 28, 2026 03:03 pm IST
