Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK senior MK Stalin on Sunday issued the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. During a press conference in Chennai, Stalin unveiled the manifesto which included various promises such as free travel for women, improved medical care, skill training and more.
Tamil Nadu is scheduled to go to the polls in a single phase on April 23. The Election Commission of India will conduct the counting of votes on May 4.
The DMK manifesto focuses on six aspects, which CM Stalin called the ‘Six Steps to Progress’. These six elements focus on the well-being of women, family, youth, farmers, housing, infrastructure and governance.
DMK issues manifesto for Tamil Nadu elections | 5 main meals
$8000 “Illatharasi” voucher for ladies
One of the major promises made in the 2026 manifesto, the DMK announced that it would provide women with an opportunity $8,000 voucher, which will help them purchase/exchange any electronic goods at their homes.
Illatharasi in Tamil translates to ‘Queen of the House’. This voucher is included on the “Family” side of the party manifesto.
“The new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, women of families who do not fall under the income tax bracket will be given a one-time voucher worth $“8,000 people to buy these electronic goods from shops at their places of residence,” Stalin said.
Travel is free for women
In the ‘For Women’ section, the DMK stated that women “will proudly travel free of cost in buses via Vidiyal Payanam”.
Increase pensions for the elderly and widows
The statement also pledges to increase pension by Rs. 2,000 pounds per month for the elderly, widows, and spinsters over the age of fifty.
Skills training for youth
The DMK has pledged to implement skill training programs for five lakh youth in the state who have completed their higher education.
“They will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon registration and completion of 6-month training under Naan Mudhalvan scheme,” the document states. The DMK also promised to create 50,000 jobs in the next five years.
Medicare coverage has been increased to $10 thousand
Whether it is a private or government hospital, DMK has promised to cover even medical treatment $10 lakh. The statement adds that the scheme will be expanded to include families with income up to Rs. 5 thousand annually.
The DMK manifesto also includes other promises like expansion of breakfast scheme to 15 lakh students up to Class VIII, free pump kits for meterless farmers, enhanced aid under Puthumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes, and pension for persons with disabilities $2500.
Stalin says DMK will form government for seventh time
Speaking at a press conference in Chennai on Sunday, MK Stalin said that the KDP will form the government again after the Assembly elections in the state.
“Tamil Nadu has emerged as a pioneer state under the Dravidian model of governance, where the public is benefiting from numerous welfare schemes. The DMK will form the government for the seventh time with sustained popular support. No other state in India has implemented welfare schemes as successfully as Tamil Nadu,” the state chief minister said.
