Free LPG cylinders, Rs 2,000 for women & more: What BJP promises in Tamil Nadu poll manifesto

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, promising Rs 2,000 monthly aid for women heads of households and a one-time Rs 10,000 assistance per household.Announcing the move, Union minister JP Nadda outlined key proposals aimed at financial assistance, safety, and economic empowerment of women. “The key highlights of the manifesto are that we will be providing a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 to all women heads of the households and a one-time sum of Rs 10,000 to every household when we come to power under the AIADMK leadership,” he said. In addition to above promises, the party also pledged free LPG cylinders annually and Rs 25,000 support for eligible women to purchase e-scooters. It also proposed interest-free loans up to Rs 50 lakh for women-led cooperatives, self-help groups, and MSMEs, along with a mandate that 20% of procurement in manufacturing units be sourced from such groups.The party has also proposed women safety measures in its manifesto such as zero FIR reporting, victim-witness protection, and special fast-track courts for heinous crimes, including sexual offences. The party also promised 100% blind spot-free CCTV coverage in buses, schools, and universities, along with better utilisation of the Nirbhaya fund.For farmers, the BJP said it would enhance benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi by adding a Rs 3,000 top-up to the existing Rs 6,000 annual support.Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK with the BJP and PMK as allies.