Chennai: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Saturday unveiled the party’s manifesto for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, outlining 120 key election pledges.

Among the major assurances in the manifesto, Mr Dhinakaran said the party had committed to reserving 85 % of jobs in both State and Central government establishments within Tamil Nadu for Tamil people.

“The manifesto places significant emphasis on the promotion of the Tamil language,” he added, noting that the party plans to make Tamil the official language of the Tamil Nadu government and promote its use in the High Court.

On agricultural measures, the AMMK pledged substantial relief for farmers, including complete waiver of all farmers’ loans.

Speaking on inter‑state water disputes, Mr Dhinakaran said the party would work towards a resolution of the longstanding Cauvery–Mekedatu dam issue through appropriate measures.

For rural employment, the manifesto promises to increase work provided under employment schemes from the current 100 days to 150 days, along with a wage hike for workers.

The AMMK has also committed to granting the Tamil Nadu Police full operational freedom to ensure improved law and order. “Under the current DMK regime, police officers’ hands have been tied,” he claimed. In addition, the party said it would introduce a new excise policy.

For government employees, AMMK has pledged the reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme.

The manifesto further states that efforts will be made to secure the Bharat Ratna — India’s highest civilian honour — for former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.

Mr Dhinakaran also announced his election campaign will commence across Tamil Nadu from 6 April.

AMMK Secures Most Preferred Seats in NDA Seat Sharing

The AMMK leader also said his party had secured almost all of its preferred constituencies as part of the AIADMK‑led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seat‑sharing arrangement.

“The party has received 99 % of the constituencies it requested in the alliance arrangement,” Mr Dhinakaran told reporters. He criticised the current State government, asserting that “Tamil Nadu is under family rule, and such dark governance has never been witnessed before in the state’s history.”

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Earlier this week, the NDA in Tamil Nadu — led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — announced its seat‑sharing plan for the assembly elections. Of the 234 seats, the AIADMK will contest 169, with the remaining 65 allocated to its allies.

AMMK Announces Candidates for April Polls

The AMMK on Saturday also released its list of 11 candidates for the 23 April Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, fielding former ministers and ex‑MLAs in key constituencies.

Among those named, former minister G Senthamizhan will contest from Saidapet in Chennai, a seat he represented from 2011 to 2016 when he served in the J Jayalalithaa cabinet. Former minister C Shanmugavelu has been nominated from Madathukulam in Tiruppur district.

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Other candidates were named for Tiruchirappalli West, Periakulam (SC), Oddapidaram (SC), Poonamallee (SC), Mannargudi, Thiruvaiyaru, Karaikudi, Tirupathur and Nanguneri seats.

As a constituent of the AIADMK‑led NDA, the party has been allotted 11 seats by the coalition leadership.

The manifesto also includes various farmer welfare initiatives and a commitment to promote natural farming, alongside the bid to secure Bharat Ratna honours for Jayalalithaa and Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.