Listen to this article:

Chennai: All the major political parties contesting in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections have now unveiled their candidates and election promises, setting the stage for a high-stakes and closely watched political contest.

Of the total 234 assembly constituencies, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is contesting in 164 constituencies and the All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 169.

In the DMK-led alliance, the Congress party has been allocated 28 constituencies, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest on 27 constituencies as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Additionally, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has become a major talking point in this election, and the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) are contesting independently in all 234 constituencies.

While the main opposition, AIADMK, has largely given opportunities to former MLAs and MPs among its candidates, the DMK has fielded 60 new faces and followed it up with the release of its election manifesto, which it has positioned as its ‘election hero’.

A 12-member election manifesto drafting committee, led by DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi, conducted extensive tours across Tamil Nadu and gathered public opinions. Based on this, DMK president M.K. Stalin on Sunday released the party’s election manifesto containing 517 promises across 50 categories.

The most attention-grabbing announcement is the ‘Illatharasi’ (homemaker) scheme for women’s welfare. Under this scheme, women from families that do not pay income tax will be given a coupon worth Rs 8,000 coupon to purchase household appliances, including washing machines, mixers, microwave ovens, electric stoves, and televisions – either as new purchases or as replacements for existing used items.

The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) financial aid scheme, currently providing Rs 1,000 per month to 1.31 crore women in Tamil Nadu, will be doubled to Rs 2,000. The monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 provided to college students under the Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Puthalvan schemes will be raised to Rs........

© The Wire