Chennai
oi-Prakash KL
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 fast approaching, the Congress on Thursday unveiled an ambitious manifesto promising to “transform” the state through sweeping welfare and governance reforms.
The document was released in Chennai in the presence of senior party leaders, including D. K. Shivakumar, Karti Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Congress chief K. Selvaperunthagai. Framed as a roadmap for inclusive growth, the manifesto focuses on employment generation, public safety, healthcare expansion and improved law and order.
The Congress manifesto for the Tamil Nadu elections, held on April 23, promises a ₹2,000 monthly Universal Basic Income for women heads of families, 3 lakh government jobs within 300 days, and bolstered public safety, contrasting with rival party promises.
A key highlight is the promise of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme, under which every family in the state would receive ₹2,000 per month. The funds would be directly transferred into the bank accounts of women, with the scheme covering all ration card holders. The Congress says this initiative is aimed at strengthening household financial security and empowering women across socio-economic groups.
Employment generation forms another central pillar of the party’s vision. The manifesto outlines an ambitious “3 Lakh Government Jobs in 300 Days” plan, committing to fill all existing vacancies across departments within a fixed timeframe. To ensure transparency, the party has pledged to publish department-wise vacancy lists and introduce a structured recruitment calendar, giving job seekers greater clarity and predictability.
Public safety also features prominently. The Congress has proposed the recruitment of 40,000 additional police personnel, including 10,000 women commandos. The move is intended to bolster law enforcement capacity while enhancing women’s safety. In addition, the party plans to establish a world-class integrated emergency response system by merging police, fire, ambulance and child helpline services under a single “Dial 100” platform.
Beyond governance and welfare, the manifesto seeks to leverage Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage. The Congress has proposed positioning the state as a global spiritual tourism hub by promoting historic places of worship, introducing multilingual guides and organising curated heritage tours to attract both domestic and international visitors.
Healthcare and infrastructure also receive attention. The party has pledged to make Tamil Nadu rabies-free by 2030 through universal dog vaccination and sterilisation programmes. It has also promised to improve road infrastructure with a focus on pothole-free streets and a long-term goal of achieving near-zero road accident fatalities.
Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The electoral battle is expected to be closely fought. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which includes the Congress, will face off against the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and PMK. The Congress is contesting 28 seats as part of this alliance arrangement.
Adding a new dimension to the contest, actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to make his electoral debut with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), potentially turning the election into a three-cornered fight.
What Other Parties Have Promised In Manifestos?
DMK manifesto highlights
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has focused on continuity plus expansion of welfare and infrastructure.
Key promises:
Women & households
- Coupons for homemakers to purchase household appliances
Education & youth
- Free laptops for government college students
- Expansion of the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme in schools
Employment & economy
- Creation of 50 lakh (5 million) jobs
- Attract large-scale foreign investments
Infrastructure
- 10,000 new buses and improved transport facilities
- Development of airports and “future-ready” global cities
Agriculture & rural
- Free pump sets for farmers
- Higher procurement prices for crops
- Financial aid for fishermen during lean seasons
Social welfare
- Expansion of health insurance coverage
- One million houses for the poor
- Increased pensions and disability support
The DMK’s approach blends welfare expansion with long-term economic growth and infrastructure push.
AIADMK
The opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has gone aggressive on direct welfare and subsidies, aiming to counter the DMK’s schemes.
Key promises:
Cash support & subsidies
- Monthly financial assistance for women heads of families
- Relief payments to tackle inflation
- Monthly allowance for unemployed graduates
Freebies & household support
- Free refrigerators for poor families
- Three free LPG cylinders annually
Transport
- Free bus travel extended to men (beyond existing schemes)
Women empowerment
- Subsidy for working women to purchase two-wheelers
Loans & financial relief
- Waiver of education and crop loans
Social welfare
- Increased pensions for elderly and vulnerable groups
Jobs & rural economy
- Expansion of rural employment scheme from 100 to 150 days
The AIADMK’s pitch is clearly welfare-heavy, with a strong focus on immediate financial relief.
TVK (Vijay) manifesto highlights
Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is positioning itself as a youth-centric alternative with targeted welfare and reform ideas.
Key promises:
Education
- Government to fully fund higher education for children of small farmers
Youth & jobs
- Job assurance schemes for young people
- Support for startups with collateral-free loans
Students
- Monthly financial assistance for students
Social reform
- Drug-free Tamil Nadu initiative
Women welfare
- Special schemes aimed at women empowerment
TVK’s manifesto leans towards targeted support + systemic reform, rather than broad freebies.
