Tamil Nadu 2026 polls: What have parties promised voters in their manifestos?

A multi-cornered fight is under way for the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Assembly and parties have released their manifestos to woo voters. Leading the pack with its ‘superstar’ manifesto, the incumbent — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) — promised free coupons to women, infrastructure projects and to fight against Hindi imposition. Its prime rival — All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — has promised slew of freebies for all — women, students, differently-abled persons, senior citizens, fishermen, weavers and transgender persons. 

The first to release its manifesto was Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), which going solo in all 234 seats. The Tamil nationalist party, which is yet to win a seat since its founding in 2010, has promised to prioritise women’s representation in the Assembly and Parliament. Other focus areas are water management, climate resilience and welfare schemes for fisherfolk, farmers and unorganised workers.