Chennai: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday unveiled a set of welfare promises for Tamil Nadu, outlining what he called “6 Guarantees” aimed at strengthening social justice and economic support systems in the state ahead of the Assembly elections.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “Tamil Nadu has shown India the path of progressive development, social justice and dignity for all.

To deepen this model, we are committing 6 Guarantees for Tamil Nadu:

  • ₹2,000/month for women
  • ₹2,000/month for senior citizens & differently abled
  • ₹2,000/month scholarship for college students
  • ₹2,500/month for families to ensure food security
  • Govt vacancies filled in 300 days + 60% reservation for locals (Group C & D)
  • Free property registration for first-time women owners

In the face of BJP’s assault, the INDIA Alliance will stand with Tamil Nadu - to protect its identity, its culture and its people,” he wrote.

The announcement comes as campaigning intensifies in the state, which will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.

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Addressing a public rally in Ponneri in Tiruvallur district, Gandhi also raised concerns over a recent parliamentary development linked to delimitation, alleging it was aimed at reducing Tamil Nadu’s political representation.

"Naturally, over the years, I have developed a relationship with the people of Tamil Nadu. I was not born in Tamil Nadu, and my family does not come from Tamil Nadu, yet I feel I am from Tamil Nadu. The RSS and BJP are trying to attack Tamil Nadu, the Tamil language and Tamil culture. I feel how dare these people attack the Tamil language and culture of Tamil Nadu," he said.

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Referring to developments in Parliament, he added, "Yesterday in Parliament, they came up with a new Bill. They said it was a Women's Bill, but that was already passed in 2023. The hidden agenda behind that Bill was delimitation. The idea was to reduce Tamil Nadu's representation in the Parliament of India and weaken southern and smaller states. We defeated that Bill in Parliament yesterday."

Outlining his broader political stance, Gandhi said, "Every state should have a voice in the Union and should be free to express its language and protect its tradition."

Criticising the Centre’s approach, he said, "When the Prime Minister says one nation, one leader, one language, one people, he is attacking the Constitution of India."

Pitching the INDIA bloc, he asserted, "The BJP and RSS want to control Tamil Nadu from Delhi. We will never allow that. Tamil Nadu must decide its own future, and we will stand with the people in protecting their language, culture, and rights."

Tamil Nadu is set for a direct contest between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which includes the Congress, and the NDA led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies. Actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is also seeking to emerge as a third force in the state’s electoral landscape.