Releasing the final manifesto of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, actor and party founder-president Vijay on Thursday appealed to the women supporters to carry on a novel campaign by drawing ‘whistle kolam’ in front of their homes.
“Barely a week is left for polling on April 23. I have a small request to my mothers, sisters – both elder and younger. Please draw the whistle kolam in front of your homes as a gesture of support for me,” he said after releasing the party manifesto.
The manifesto, titled ‘People’s Manifesto’, includes promises he had announced earlier during his rallies, such as six free LPG cylinders for every family, Rs 2,500 a month for women heads of households, 8 grams of gold along with a silk saree for girls at the times of marriage, and health insurance coverage of Rs 25 lakh for every family, among other asssurances.
Further, the TVK has promised to abolish NEET, bring education under the State List from the Concurrent List, protect the two-Language policy, and conduct a caste survey to ensure proportional representation of communities based on their population. The party also said it will oppose the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ proposal and the Delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, terming both as anti-constitutional. Additionally, it pledged to strive for a Supreme Court Bench in Chennai and to implement Tamil as the language of the High Court.
Taking a clear stand on Centre-State relations, the TVK made it clear that it would strive for the abolition of the office of Governor, a colonial relic, fight for the state’s legitimate rights in financial devolution from the Central Pool and work towards securing citizenship for the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living here for over four decades.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijay expressed confidence of winning both the seats he is contesting from – Perambur in Chennai and Trichy East, adding that he would visit his constituency every month and would be accessible to the people. “Whatever I may be for Tamil Nadu, for the constituency, I am the MLA. For my home, I am the son and the representative for the constituency. Do not think it will be difficult to meet me in person,” he asked.
The actor-turned neta, blasting the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK for making fake promises for the sake of the election, said, “Unlike others, the TVK pledges only what is possible and attainable. Once coming to power, we will do what has not been announced.” In a symbolic display of inclusiveness, a farmer, Narayanan, a teacher, an auto driver, an anganwadi worker, a retired policeman, a Muslim woman, and a transgender person were the first to receive the copies of the manifesto booklet on the dais. Interestingly, the manifesto was released a day after Vijay held a roadshow in Chennai, which drew massive crowds en route.