As political priorities shift and voter concerns evolve, manifestos are routinely edited. Promises are substituted, softened, or quietly removed altogether when they are no longer seen as electorally useful.
Sethusamudram Project Quietly Benched by DMK
One of the most notable omissions from the latest Dravidian manifesto is the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project, long associated with Tamil Nadu’s political discourse.
The over Rs 2,000-crore scheme, which proposes dredging a 167 km shipping channel across the Palk Strait, Palk Bay, and Adam’s Bridge to connect the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Mannar, has appeared in earlier manifestos and was historically supported by senior leaders across parties.
However, it is missing from the latest DMK document.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai explained the position, stating: “Sethusamudram is one of the projects that’s dear to our heart. It will definitely find a place in the parliamentary manifesto”.
The omission comes even though Chief Minister M K Stalin had earlier indicated that the project would be pursued after forming government, citing its potential economic benefits for southern Tamil Nadu.
Lankan Tamil Issue: Shift in Focus
Another significant change is the dilution of the party’s stance on Sri Lankan Tamil issues. Earlier manifestos had called for an international investigation into alleged war crimes and supported broader rehabilitation measures.
The 2026 version, however, shifts emphasis towards settlement and citizenship concerns, while allied parties continue to push for a formal international inquiry.
Welfare Schemes and Employment Guarantees Fade from Agenda
Despite widespread protests in Tamil Nadu over changes to the rural employment guarantee programme and related central schemes, the latest manifesto does not explicitly mention its successor framework.
Earlier commitments to expand workdays and increase wages under the rural employment scheme also appear to have been dropped or softened in the current document.
OBC Creamy Layer Demand Put on Hold
A politically sensitive issue, the demand to raise the OBC creamy layer income ceiling, has also been excluded.
Previously a key talking point, the demand has now been sidelined. However, party leaders insist the issue remains active in policy discussions.
“Recently, a Supreme Court judgment has clarified that income from agricultural and other such sources should not be considered. This strengthens our position, and we will continue to press for removal of the creamy layer,” a party spokesperson noted.
Other DMK Manifesto Omissions: Governance Reforms and Prohibition
Several governance-related promises have also disappeared from the latest document, including proposals to:
- Reconstitute the Legislative Council
- Introduce live telecast of Assembly proceedings
- Reduce fuel prices
On prohibition, while earlier leadership under M Karunanidhi had floated phased closure of state-run liquor outlets, the current manifesto avoids any such commitment.
ADMK Shifts Away from Earlier Promises
The opposition ADMK has also dropped or softened several long-standing pledges associated with its previous leadership.
One major omission is the proposal to increase Muslim reservation from 3.5% to 7%, a move once initiated under J Jayalalithaa’s leadership.
The party has also moved away from its earlier strong opposition to NEET, instead focusing on preparing students to compete within the existing examination framework.
A senior ADMK leader, a former minister, told TOI: “We are taking a practical approach in our promises”.
Symbolic Electoral Commitments Also Disappear
Some highly symbolic pledges have also been quietly dropped. These include:
- Naming Madurai International Airport after freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar
- Changing electricity billing cycles from bi-monthly to monthly
These promises had previously been seen as attempts to consolidate community support and voter sentiment.
Smaller Parties Also Revise or Retreat on Key Ideas
It is not only the two main Dravidian parties recalibrating their agendas. Other political outfits have also stepped back from earlier proposals, including:
- Plans to shut down cola manufacturing units
- Calls to abolish highway toll plazas
- Proposals for a right to recall elected MLAs
Why Manifesto Promises Keep Changing in Tamil Nadu Politics
The steady trimming of election promises highlights a broader reality of electoral strategy: manifestos are living documents shaped by feasibility, voter sentiment, legal constraints, and coalition politics.
As elections approach, parties increasingly prioritise messages that deliver immediate political impact, while long-term or controversial commitments are often parked for future consideration, or quietly removed altogether.
Inputs from TOI
