AIADMK Unveils Second Set of Poll Promises Including Pension Increase and Loan Waiver

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has announced a hike in social security pensions to Rs 2,000 and education loan waivers as part of the party's second set of poll promises ahead of the elections.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the second batch of election promises on Wednesday. These include increasing monthly social security pensions to Rs 2,000 and forgiving education loans. The pension hike will benefit senior citizens, widows, destitutes, differently-abled individuals, and transgenders if AIADMK comes to power, according to Palaniswami's statement.

During a brief interaction with the media, Palaniswami addressed a question regarding TVK Founder-Chief Vijay's comments on corruption in the AIADMK regime. He questioned whether Vijay specifically accused AIADMK of corruption. "Did he specifically say that AIADMK regime is corrupt? If he makes specific remarks about us AIADMK only then we can respond to it," Palaniswami stated.

Social Security and Livelihood Support

Palaniswami also criticised Vijay for not appearing publicly after a tragic incident in Karur. This event resulted in 41 deaths and 60 injuries during a party rally on September 27, 2025. He remarked that Vijay took 72 days to come out after the incident and suggested that Vijay is unaware of current political alliances. "He does not know what is happening in the country," Palaniswami commented.

The manifesto unveiled by Palaniswami includes providing three free LPG gas cylinders annually to ration card holders as a livelihood support measure. Additionally, if a bull-tamer dies during the Jallikattu sport, their family will receive Rs 10 lakh compensation. Those injured will receive Rs 2 lakh.

Jallikattu and Business Support

To promote Jallikattu, a subsidy of Rs 5 lakh will be given for hosting events at government-approved locations. The current online registration for Jallikattu will be replaced with the previous manual system. Interest-free loans will be available for women from minority communities to start businesses.

Palaniswami also mentioned waiving loans taken by differently-abled individuals from Cooperative banks. This initiative aims to provide financial relief and support their economic activities.

Alliance and Election Preparedness

On January 17, Palaniswami released the first set of poll promises, indicating AIADMK's readiness for upcoming elections. AIADMK is part of the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu for these elections. Other alliance members include Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam led by John Pandian and New Justice Party founded by AC Shanmugham.

The alliance also comprises Puratchi Bharatham led by Jagan Moorthy, Tamil Maanila Congress under G K Vasan, Anbumani Ramadoss faction led PMK, and AMMK led by TTV Dhinakaran. These parties are working together to strengthen their position in the forthcoming elections.

With inputs from PTI