Tamil Nadu assembly polls: AMMK releases manifesto, rolls out 120 promises

NEW DELHI: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Saturday released the party’s manifesto for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, outlining 120 key promises."Among the key assurances, the party has promised that 85% of jobs in both State and Central government establishments within Tamil Nadu will be provided to Tamil people," Dhinakaran said. The AMMK also emphasised promoting the Tamil language. Dhinakaran stated, "Tamil will be made the official language of the Tamil Nadu government and introduced for use in the High Court."Addressing the concerns of farmers, he announced, "All farmers' loans will be completely waived." On inter-state water disputes, he added, "The party has assured that the long-pending Cauvery-Mekedatu dam issue will be resolved through appropriate measures."The manifesto includes measures for rural employment as well. "The party has promised to increase the current 100 days of work under employment schemes to 150 days, along with a hike in wages for workers," Dhinakaran said.Other key promises include granting full operational freedom to the Tamil Nadu Police, introducing a new excise policy, and restoring benefits for government employees. Dhinakaran stated, "For government employees, the party has assured the reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme." The manifesto also mentions efforts to secure the Bharat Ratna award for former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar."The party has received 99 per cent of the constituencies it had requested in the seat-sharing arrangement with the AIADMK-led NDA alliance,” he said, while criticising the ruling party. "Tamil Nadu is currently under family rule and such dark governance had never been witnessed in the state before in history."Earlier, the NDA in Tamil Nadu, led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the elections. AIADMK will contest 169 out of 234 seats, while the remaining 65 have been allocated to its allies.Dhinakaran said, "From April 6th I will start my campaign across TN."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 (SPA), which includes Congress, DMDK, and VCK, and the NDA, led by AIADMK with BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay will make his electoral debut with TVK, adding a three-way dimension to the elections.