Published Feb 24, 2026 | 1:40 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2026 | 1:40 PM
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Synopsis: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the third phase of the party’s election promises. He unveiled a series of welfare assurances aimed at reducing the financial burden on the people of Tamil Nadu.
On the occasion of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary on Tuesday, 24 February, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the third phase of the party’s election promises.
After paying tribute to Jayalalithaa, Palaniswami addressed the media and unveiled a series of welfare assurances aimed at reducing the financial burden on the people of Tamil Nadu.
Criticising the DMK government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, he alleged that prices of essential commodities have sharply increased over the last five years.
He also pointed to hikes in property tax, house tax, electricity charges and water tax, stating that these have significantly increased the cost of living for ordinary families.
As part of the new promises, he announced that if the AIADMK forms the government, a “Mercy assistance” of ₹10,000 will be provided to every family in Tamil Nadu to ease financial stress.
In his second announcement, he said that graduates registered with employment offices and waiting for jobs will receive a monthly assistance of ₹2,000. Further, he said those who have studied up to Higher Secondary (+2) and are registered with employment offices will receive ₹1,000 per month as financial support.
The party promised that the relief assistance given to fishermen during the fishing ban period will be increased from the existing ₹8,000 to ₹12,000.
He added that an additional ₹1,000 will be provided every year along with the Pongal gift hamper distributed during the Thai Pongal festival.
Free electricity for handloom weavers will be increased from 300 units to 450 units, and for powerloom weavers from 1,000 units to 1,400 units, said Palaniswami.
He further announced that loans obtained from cooperative banks by small traders operating roadside shops in urban areas will be waived.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
