AIADMK releases second set of poll promises, including hike in pension, loan waiver

AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami

• AIADMK promises to raise social security pensions to Rs 2,000 if elected
• Three free LPG cylinders yearly for ration card holders pledged by AIADMK
• Education loans and loans for differently-abled to be waived under new manifesto

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AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday released the second set of poll promises, including a hike in monthly social security pensions to Rs 2,000 and waiver of education loans.

"Under the social security pension scheme, the monthly assistance provided to senior citizens, widows, destitutes, differently-abled persons and transgenders will be raised from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 when AIADMK forms government in the state," Palaniswami said in a party statement here.

Later, during a brief media reaction, responding to a query about TVK Founder-Chief Vijay's comment that corruption prevailed in the AIADMK regime, Palaniswami said, "Did he specifically say that AIADMK regime is corrupt? If he makes specific remarks about us (AIADMK) only then we can respond to it." He further said, "He (Vijay) had already termed AMMA (as J Jayalalithaa is fondly called, meaning mother) as his role model. If he says that AIADMK regime led by me is corrupt, you should know that I went to the court and even the court has proven me innocent. How can you still say there was corruption (in AIADMK regime)?" The AIADMK chief also slammed Vijay for not coming out of his residence after the incident in Karur in which 41 people lost their lives while 60 others sustained injuries during his party's rally on September 27, 2025.

"He (Vijay) should come out in public and only then he will know what is happening in the country. After that incident (Karur) it took 72 days for him to come out. He does not know what is happening in the country. He does not know which party is in alliance and which party is heading that alliance. Instead of asking me all these questions, you go and ask him this question," Palaniswami told the media.

The manifesto released by him on the occasion said as a livelihood support measure, three free LPG gas cylinders would be provided to ration card holders every year.

Reiterating his earlier comment, he said that if a bull-tamer loses his life during Jallikattu (bull taming sport), a compensation of Rs 10 lakh would be provided to the family.

Also, Rs 2 lakh would be provided to those sustaining injuries during the bull taming, he said.

Aimed at encouraging the sport, Palaniswami said a subsidy of Rs 5 lakh would be provided to host Jallikattu events in government-authorised locations.

He said the current practice of registering online for the Jallikattu event would be abolished, and the previous manual system would be restored.

Interest-free loans would be provided to women belonging to minority communities for setting up their own businesses. Those loans borrowed by differently-abled persons from Cooperative banks would be waived, he added.

On January 17, Palaniswami released the first set of poll promises, signalling the party's preparedness for the upcoming elections.

AIADMK is an alliance partner and a major constituent of the NDA in Tamil Nadu for the forthcoming elections.

Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam led by its founder John Pandian, New Justice Party founder AC Shanmugham, Puratchi Bharatham founder Jagan Moorthy, Tamil Maanila congress led by G K Vasan, Anbumani Ramadoss faction led PMK, AMMK led by TTV Dhinakaran are also part of the alliance.