Cash, health cover, LPG ... : TVK's Vijay joins freebie bandwagon days before Tamil Nadu polls

CHENNAI: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay announced a slew of freebies in his election manifesto, ranging from six free LPG cylinders a year and 200 units of power, to Rs 2,500 monthly dole for women below 60, and Rs 25 lakh family health cover.

Releasing the manifesto in Chennai on Thursday, Vijay also promised to set up 100 'Kamarajar schools of excellence', besides offering collateral-free education loans. Also on offer was 8g gold to poor women for their marriage.

TVK's Vijay joined the populist bandwagon of Dravidian majors, announcing a slew of freebies in the party's election manifesto, ranging from a Rs 2,500 monthly dole for women aged below 60 years to Rs 25 lakh health insurance coverage for families. Most of the promises target youth and women.

Releasing the document in Chennai on Thursday, Vijay, however, claimed he was different from DMK and AIADMK, which had made similar poll promises and were "identical in corruption, too". TVK had only promised what we will be able to deliver, he said.

Among the freebies promised were six LPG cylinders to every family a year, and 200 units of free electricity to all households.

The poll guarantees included Rs 4,000 monthly assistance for unemployed graduates and Rs 2,000 for diploma holders, Rs 25 lakh collateral-free loan for young entrepreneurs, Rs 5 lakh interest-free loan for women self-help groups, and Rs 20 lakh collateral-free education loans. "One sovereign gold and a silk saree will be given to poor women for their marriage," he said.


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