Sun Mar 29 07:10:35 UTC 2026: ### AMMK Promises Bharat Ratna for Thevar and Jayalalithaa in Election Manifesto

The Story:
The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), led by T.T.V. Dhinakaran, released its 32-page poll manifesto on Saturday, March 28, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. A central promise of the manifesto is demanding the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, be posthumously conferred on U. Muthuramalinga Thevar, leader of the Forward Bloc, and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The party also seeks to rename Madurai International Airport after Thevar. The manifesto outlines a range of promises targeting farmers, government employees, minorities, and the general public.

Key Points:

  • The AMMK demands the Bharat Ratna for U. Muthuramalinga Thevar and Jayalalithaa.
  • The party proposes renaming Madurai International Airport after Thevar.
  • The manifesto includes promises to waive crop loans, expand the protected agricultural zone, and enact a law guaranteeing timely government services.
  • The AMMK supports a caste survey while maintaining the 69% quota system.
  • The party aims to restore denotified tribes status for relevant communities.
  • The manifesto calls for the restoration of monthly electricity billing and 100 free units per month, reinstating the Old Pension Scheme, and resuming railway fare concessions for senior citizens.
  • The AMMK proposes increasing the reservation for Muslims in education and employment to 5%.
  • The party seeks to revive the Legislative Council and halt the privatization of State Transport Corporations.
  • The AMMK promises Amma Unavagams for every panchayat union and housing plots for journalists at concessional rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AMMK is leveraging the legacies of prominent Tamil figures like Thevar and Jayalalithaa to gain voter support.
  • The manifesto targets a broad spectrum of voters with promises related to agriculture, social justice, and public services.
  • The AMMK is attempting to differentiate itself from other parties by focusing on specific issues like the denotified tribes status and journalist welfare.

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