Chennai: All the major political parties contesting in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections have now unveiled their candidates and election promises, setting the stage for a high-stakes and closely watched political contest. Of the total 234 assembly constituencies, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is contesting in 164 constituencies and the All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 169. In the DMK-led alliance, the Congress party has been allocated 28 constituencies, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest on 27 constituencies as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Additionally, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has become a major talking point in this election, and the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) are contesting independently in all 234 constituencies.While the main opposition, AIADMK, has largely given opportunities to former MLAs and MPs among its candidates, the DMK has fielded 60 new faces and followed it up with the release of its election manifesto, which it has positioned as its ‘election hero’.A 12-member election manifesto drafting committee, led by DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi, conducted extensive tours across Tamil Nadu and gathered public opinions. Based on this, DMK president M.K. Stalin on Sunday released the party’s election manifesto containing 517 promises across 50 categories.The most attention-grabbing announcement is the ‘Illatharasi’ (homemaker) scheme for women’s welfare. Under this scheme, women from families that do not pay income tax will be given a coupon worth Rs 8,000 coupon to purchase household appliances, including washing machines, mixers, microwave ovens, electric stoves, and televisions – either as new purchases or as replacements for existing used items.The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) financial aid scheme, currently providing Rs 1,000 per month to 1.31 crore women in Tamil Nadu, will be doubled to Rs 2,000. The monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 provided to college students under the Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Puthalvan schemes will be raised to Rs 1,500. Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) members will be offered loans of up to Rs 5 lakh without collateral and with a subsidy, to start their own businesses. These were among the key promises related to women’s empowerment.The DMK’s approach in this manifesto has largely been to enhance the benefits of already-running schemes and expand their beneficiary base, alongside a few new announcements. Over the past six months, the party has actively showcased beneficiaries of major schemes implemented over the last five years and highlighted their impact through reports and outreach. The manifesto follows the same approach: seeking to reassure existing beneficiaries while also attracting new voters and building fresh confidence.At the same time, the opposition has sought to seize the early momentum. Just as they launched their campaigns ahead of the DMK, the AIADMK also announced its election promises earlier. Among those, one of the most notable was the assurance by general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami that the 7.5% reservation in medical admissions for government school students would be increased to 10%. In the absence of a NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu, this quota has played a significant role in enabling government school students to access medical education.Palaniswami also announced that refrigerators would be provided to all rice-ration-card holders, projecting it as a measure to ease the workload of housewives. It is in this context that the DMK’s promise of a Rs 8,000 appliance coupon can also be seen as part of a competitive welfare pitch.NTK coordinator Seeman, who has repeatedly said in his campaigns, “If I come to power, I will not give a fridge, but instead give jobs,” released a manifesto centred on decentralised governance and agriculture-based economic development. It has been announced that if the party comes to power, five state capitals will be created across Tamil Nadu for administrative convenience. Other notable promises include provision of death penalty for sexual offenders and replacing electronic voting machines (EVMs) with paper ballot system.TVK leader Vijay is also gradually announcing promises at political meetings he attends rather than through a consolidated manifesto. Among the notable announcements so far are the complete waiver of agricultural crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, and GST and electricity concessions for private companies that provide jobs to 75% of Tamil Nadu’s people.The chief minister’s free breakfast scheme for school students up to class five, introduced in 2022, currently benefits more than 20 lakh students across the state. The scheme has led to improved attendance, reduced dropouts, increased immunity, and enhanced learning outcomes. Given these outcomes, the DMK has promised to extend the scheme up to class eight.Under the chief minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS), 1.48 crore families are currently covered. The manifesto proposes raising the income eligibility limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, thereby expanding coverage to additional families.According to revised estimates by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Tamil Nadu’s real GSDP growth rate for 2024–25 stood at 11.19%, the highest in the country and its first double-digit growth in 14 years. To sustain this trajectory, the manifesto promises to attract Rs 18 lakh crore in foreign investment and create employment for 50 lakh youth. Neo-Tidal Parks are to be established in every district, generating an additional two lakh jobs.The manifesto also promises increased scholarships for students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, and Denotified Communities. It also proposes raising the maximum loan limit through Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation Limited (TAMCO) for minorities starting businesses to Rs 30 lakh.Among departments, the environment, forest, and climate change sector features prominently. Tamil Nadu has already become the first state in the country to declare heatwaves as a state disaster. Building on this, the DMK has announced that heat officers will be appointed in all districts and cities to issue localised warnings, coordinate emergency medical responses, and ensure workplace safety during extreme heat events.The manifesto also pledges to expand the electric bus network currently limited to Chennai to five more cities: Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tirunelveli, Erode, and Thanjavur. This move is expected to reduce vehicular emissions and improve urban air quality while contributing to the broader target of making electric buses 30% of the fleet by 2030.To address human-animal conflict, AI-based early warning systems with thermal sensors and cameras will be installed in regions including Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, and the Eastern Ghats.One of the most notable and potentially contentious promises relates to the “Theri” red sand dune ecosystems in southern Tamil Nadu. The manifesto states that these areas will be scientifically mapped using satellite imagery and declared protected zones. This gains significance in light of the earlier MoU between Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TAMIN) and IREL (India) Limited to commercially utilise mineral resources in these regions.Following this, IREL TAMIN Limited was incorporated in June 2024 to undertake mining and processing operations in parts of Thoothukudi district. Surveys and land classification exercises have already been completed, with reports submitted to the district administration. However, the manifesto’s commitment to protecting Theri lands introduces uncertainty over the future of the project. While environmental groups have opposed the mining initiative, whether it will ultimately be scrapped will depend on a formal decision by the incoming government.Beyond these, the manifesto also includes promises related to traders, weavers, journalists, police personnel, the elderly, youth, differently abled, transgenders and children. The DMK is entering the electoral arena by foregrounding both its governance record and an expansive set of promises. Meanwhile, the AIADMK and the NTK continue their campaign attacks on the ruling government, and Vijay’s TVK is expected to release its full manifesto soon.Whether the DMK will be able to navigate this competitive political landscape and retain power will ultimately be decided by Tamil Nadu’s voters on April 23.