Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Sunday unveiled its manifesto for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with Chief Minister and party president M K Stalin announcing a slate of welfare measures and governance reforms aimed at broad-based growth.

The manifesto, released at Anna Arivalayam, was prepared using public inputs gathered through a dedicated mobile application, WhatsApp and social media platforms. A 12-member committee headed by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi coordinated the exercise, consolidating suggestions from farmers, traders, industrialists and other stakeholders.

Key promises in DMK manifesto 2026

The party outlined several major commitments across sectors:

  • Monthly women’s entitlement assistance to be increased to Rs 2,000.
  • Free laptops for students.
  • Interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for self-help groups (SHGs).
  • Breakfast scheme to be expanded up to Class 8 in government schools.
  • Immediate promotions for government staff and teachers.
  • Financial assistance under “Pudhumai Penn” and “Tamil Pudhalvan” schemes to be raised to ₹1,500.
  • Modern irrigation infrastructure, including advanced pump sets for farmers.

The DMK also promised to host a Classical Tamil Conference in Chennai and said it would take forward the recommendations of Justice Kurian Joseph on Centre–State relations at the national level.

‘People-driven manifesto’

The party said the document reflects a participatory approach to governance, with policy commitments shaped by citizen feedback. The initiative began on January 3, 2026, when Stalin launched the feedback app to crowdsource ideas for the manifesto.

Track record and political pitch

Highlighting the government’s performance, Mr Stalin cited flagship schemes such as Kalaignar Urimai Thogai, Vidiyal Payanam, the breakfast scheme, Pudhumai Penn, Naan Mudhalvan, Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, Tamil Pudhalvan and Kalaignar Kanavu Illam.

“We have implemented schemes ensuring benefits reach every individual,” he said, expressing confidence that the DMK would form the government for a seventh time.

Earlier, the Chief Minister honoured members of the manifesto committee and thanked Ms Kanimozhi for leading the drafting process.

The announcement marks a key milestone ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with the DMK placing welfare expansion and inclusive development at the centre of its campaign strategy.