Tirupattur 

Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday unveiled a new welfare measure, announcing ₹8,000 coupons for households to purchase essential consumer goods such as televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines.

He also highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives, noting that laptops have already been distributed to nearly 10 lakh college students under the current administration. He contrasted this with earlier schemes that primarily targeted school students, stating that the present government has expanded the scope to include higher education beneficiaries.

Udhayanidhi made these remarks while campaigning at the Natrampalli bus stand in support of candidates Nallathambi from Tirupattur and Kavitha Dhandapani from Jolarpet constituencies.

During his address, he criticised the opposition, particularly Edappadi K. Palaniswami, calling for his party’s defeat across constituencies in the state.

Outlining key election promises, he said the existing women’s entitlement scheme, which provides ₹1,000 per month, would be doubled to ₹2,000 if his party returns to power. He also announced that the government’s breakfast programme for schoolchildren, currently covering Classes 1 to 5, would be expanded up to Class 8.

Reiterating the proposed coupon scheme, he said it is aimed at supporting families in purchasing essential household appliances, thereby easing financial burdens and improving living standards.

Responding to criticism from opposition parties, he defended the government’s welfare initiatives, emphasising their broader reach and impact under what he described as the “Dravidian model” of governance.

He concluded his campaign appeal by urging voters to support the candidates contesting under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) symbol, seeking a decisive mandate in the elections.

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Tamil Nadu is scheduled to vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting set to take place on May 4.