‘Free fridges, dal and oil’: AIADMK unveils welfare push ahead of polls​

Chennai, March 24 In a major poll promise ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday announced a slew of welfare measures, including the distribution of free refrigerators to all rice ration cardholders if the party returns to power. ​

Releasing the party’s election manifesto at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai, Palaniswami said the initiative is aimed at easing the daily burden of homemakers and improving household convenience.​

“The free fridge is meant to reduce the workload of women managing homes,” he said, positioning the scheme as both a welfare and quality-of-life measure. ​

In addition to the refrigerator scheme, the AIADMK leader promised that rice category ration cardholders would be provided one kilogram of dal and one litre of cooking oil free of cost. ​

The announcement is expected to benefit a large section of the population, particularly low- and middle-income families, amid rising household expenses. ​

The promises signal the party’s continued reliance on targeted welfare schemes, a strategy that has historically resonated with voters in Tamil Nadu. ​

The announcements also reflect the AIADMK’s continued legacy of populist measures pioneered under former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. ​

In 2011, Jayalalithaa introduced a widely popular scheme offering free fans, mixies, and grinders to households, which became a hallmark of her administration’s welfare approach. ​

After assuming office, her government rolled out the distribution programme on September 15, 2011, marking the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai. ​

The announcement comes at a time when political parties across the state are intensifying their campaign efforts and unveiling manifesto promises to attract voters. ​

With alliances largely taking shape and campaign activities gaining momentum, welfare schemes are once again emerging as a key battleground in Tamil Nadu’s electoral contest. ​

The AIADMK’s latest promises are likely to set the tone for competitive populism in the run-up to polling, as rival parties are also expected to roll out their own welfare-centric commitments in the days ahead. ​

--IANS

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