Chennai

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday observed the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, with the party leadership releasing the third phase of its electoral assurances ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami led the commemorative event at the party headquarters, where a large number of cadres gathered to pay floral tributes to the late leader.

Addressing the media, Palaniswami said Jayalalithaa’s 78th birth anniversary was being marked in a grand manner at the AIADMK headquarters. He said the party had already announced several election promises and that the third phase of commitments was unveiled on Tuesday.

Targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Palaniswami alleged that under the “inefficient” government led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, prices of essential commodities have risen sharply over the past five years, placing a heavy burden on households. He also claimed that property tax, house tax, electricity tariffs, drinking water charges and several other levies had been increased, worsening the financial strain on families.

Announcing key promises, Palaniswami said the AIADMK would provide a relief assistance of Rs 10,000 to every family to offset rising costs. He assured that all welfare measures would be implemented without discrimination and said the party had demonstrated effective governance during the COVID-19 period. By boosting state revenue, he added, the proposed schemes would be fully implemented and reach all beneficiaries.

Detailing the commitments, Palaniswami said unemployed graduates registered with employment exchanges would receive a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000, while those educated up to Higher Secondary (+2) would be given Rs 1,000 per month. Relief assistance for fishermen during the annual fishing ban period would be increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000. In addition to the traditional Pongal gift hamper, Rs 1,000 would also be provided during the festival.

The AIADMK also promised to raise free electricity for handloom weavers from 300 to 450 units and for power loom weavers from 1,000 to 1,400 units. Palaniswami further said loans taken from cooperative banks by small pavement shopkeepers in urban areas would be waived and employment opportunities would be created for jobless youth through industrial promotion, similar to initiatives taken during Jayalalithaa’s tenure.

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He claimed the DMK government was in deep crisis and that people were bearing the brunt of its policies.