Student education loans to be waived off: AIADMK’s second phase of poll promises

AIADMK's poll promises also included the social pension scheme, the old-age pension will be increased to ₹2,000 per month.

Published Feb 04, 2026 | 2:49 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 04, 2026 | 2:49 PM

Edappadi K. Palaniswami announcing poll promises. (Screengrab)

Synopsis: The announcement included a prominent election promise for students— education loans taken by students from banks will be waived to safeguard the interests of students and parents.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday, 4 February, released the party’s second phase of election promises, outlining a series of welfare measures, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.

The announcement included a prominent election promise for students— education loans taken by students from banks will be waived to safeguard the interests of students and parents.

AIADMK’s poll promises also included:

Under the social pension scheme, the old-age pension will be increased to ₹2,000 per month.
As livelihood support, ration card holders will be provided three free LPG cylinders every year.
The existing online system for Jallikattu competitions will be scrapped. In case a participant dies during Jallikattu, a compensation of ₹10 lakh will be given to the family, and ₹2 lakh will be provided towards treatment if a participant is injured.
Interest-free loans will be provided to women from minority communities to help them start self-employment ventures.

அஇஅதிமுக இரண்டாம் கட்ட தேர்தல் வாக்குறுதிகள்!!

தேர்தல் வாக்குறுதி எண் 5

இஸ்லாமிய, கிறிஸ்தவ மற்றும் ஏனைய சிறுபான்மை வகுப்பைச் சேர்ந்த மகளிர் சுயதொழில் தொடங்குவதற்கு வட்டியில்லா கடன் வழங்கப்படும்.

மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகள் கூட்டுறவு வங்கிகளில் வாங்கிய கடன் தள்ளுபடி செய்யப்படும்… pic.twitter.com/8jkKL6T0Sk

— AIADMK – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 4, 2026

Also Read: Rs 2000 cash transfer for women, free bus ride for men: AIADMK’s poll promises ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

First phase of poll promises

In it’s first phase of poll promises, the party promised women welfare initiative titled the Kulavilakku Scheme, a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,000 to all ration card-holding families, which would be credited directly to the bank account of the woman head of the household.

The AIADMK also announced that free bus travel would be extended to men travelling on city buses. The existing free bus travel scheme for women would continue.

Under the Amma Illam Scheme, the party promised to provide free housing to families without own houses. In rural areas, the government would purchase land and construct concrete houses, while in urban areas, multi-storeyed apartment complexes would be built and allotted free of cost. The scheme would also cover Scheduled Caste families living jointly, providing separate houses when sons start independent households after marriage.

The party further said it would increase the number of guaranteed workdays under the rural employment scheme from the existing 100 days to 150 days, going beyond the Centre’s proposed increase to 125 days.

In another key announcement, the AIADMK promised to distribute Amma two-wheelers to five lakh women with a subsidy of 25,000 per beneficiary.