Chennai, May 2026 – Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has made a strong pitch to women voters with its ambitious welfare-focused manifesto ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party’s headline promise of 8 grams (one sovereign) of gold along with a silk saree for brides from low-income families has captured significant public attention.
Gold and Women-Centric Schemes
Under the scheme, every bride from families with an annual income below ₹5 lakh will receive 8 grams of gold – typically intended for the thali or mangalsutra – plus a silk saree as marriage assistance. This forms part of TVK’s broader women empowerment agenda.
Additional women-focused initiatives include:
- A gold ring for every newborn girl.
- Free sanitary pads.
- Free bus travel for women across the state.
- ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance to women heads of households (up to age 60).
- Interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for women self-help groups.
- ₹15,000 annual support for mothers to prevent school dropouts.
- Six free LPG cylinders per year for all households.
Other Major Guarantees in TVK’s Manifesto
TVK has outlined “10 Guarantees for a Victorious Tamil Nadu,” targeting multiple sections of society:
Youth and Education
- Monthly unemployment allowance of ₹4,000 for graduates and ₹2,500 for diploma holders.
- Collateral-free education loans up to ₹20 lakh.
- Paid internships with attractive stipends.
- Widespread use of AI in governance, examinations, and public systems.
Farmers and Economy
- 50% loan waiver for smaller farmers.
- Support for higher Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Solar-powered irrigation pumps.
- Ambitious target to grow Tamil Nadu’s economy to $1.5 trillion.
- Creation of 5 lakh new job opportunities.
Healthcare and Social Security
- ₹25 lakh health insurance cover per family.
- ₹3,000 monthly pension for senior citizens, widows, and differently-abled persons with expanded coverage.
Basic Amenities
- 200 units of free electricity per household.
- Special support for fishermen during the lean season (₹27,000).
- Strong push against drugs and for better governance.
Vijay has positioned these promises as “practical and implementable,” distinguishing TVK from what he calls the traditional “freebie culture” of Dravidian parties while still offering direct benefit schemes popular in Tamil Nadu politics.
Political Context
The manifesto comes as TVK disrupts Tamil Nadu’s long-standing political duopoly in the 2026 elections. The party is contesting strongly against the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK, with early trends and analyses indicating robust performance, particularly among women, youth, and rural voters.
Analysts note that while several promises echo previous schemes announced by other parties, TVK has packaged them under a modern, people-centric narrative with technology-driven governance reforms.
Implementation challenges, including funding and fiscal sustainability, will be closely watched if TVK assumes power. The full manifesto is available on the party’s official channels for detailed reading.
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