Ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami outlined a set of welfare promises.
At a public event on February 24, Edappadi K. Palaniswami released the third phase of the party’s poll assurances, which included the following key commitments if AIADMK is voted to power:
- A one-time financial assistance of ₹10,000 to every family in the state.
- Monthly assistance of ₹2,000 for unemployed graduates registered with employment exchanges and ₹1,000 for those educated up to Higher Secondary (+2) and registered.
- Increased relief for fishermen during the fishing ban period, from ₹8,000 to ₹12,000.
- Expanded free electricity for handloom weavers (450 units) and powerloom weavers (1,400 units)
- Waiver of cooperative bank loans taken by pavement shop vendors in urban areas.
- Additional ₹1,000 with the annual Pongal gift package.
On Taxes and Funding:
When asked whether taxes would be increased to fund these promises, Edappadi K. Palaniswami said the party would generate the necessary resources through tax revenue, “by raising revenue in ways recommended by economic experts.”
He stated, “We will raise taxes in appropriate ways as identified by fiscal experts, collect revenue and implement the announced welfare schemes.”
On the current tax situation under the ruling DMK government, Edappadi K. Palaniswami claimed that multiple taxes, including property tax, house tax, electricity charges, and drinking water tax, had increased over the past five years, which he said had “multiplied the daily financial burden on families.”
Edappadi K. Palaniswami did not provide specific details on which taxes would be increased under an AIADMK government or the exact extent of such rises. When pressed, he said this could not be determined immediately and would depend on expert guidance.
– Magizh
