Chennai, Apr 18:
Former AIADMK leader V. K. Sasikala has released her election manifesto for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, outlining a range of welfare measures aimed at key voter groups including farmers, women and economically weaker sections.
A major focus of the manifesto is on the agrarian sector. Sasikala has promised a complete waiver of cooperative loans taken by farmers. The document also proposes higher procurement prices, fixing ₹3,250 per quintal for paddy and ₹4,250 per tonne for sugarcane, aimed at improving farm incomes.
The manifesto places strong emphasis on women-centric welfare. It promises to increase maternity assistance from ₹18,000 to ₹24,000, along with a hike in old-age pension to ₹2,000. In addition, educational assistance for students from SC, ST, BC and MBC communities is proposed to be increased by 50%.
Other key assurances include a higher diesel subsidy for fishermen, revival of the free laptop scheme, and implementation of a new pension scheme for government employees. The manifesto also promises the construction of five lakh houses for the homeless over the next five years.
Overall, the manifesto reflects a welfare-driven approach, combining social security measures with targeted economic support, as Sasikala seeks to regain political relevance ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.