Vote For This Party, Get Washing Machine Free

The AIADMK unveiled its party manifesto for the April 6 Assembly elections giving priority to freebies. Tamil Nadu is the pioneer in announcement of freebies to the electorate, specially since 2006, when it started with giving free TV set to each household during the elections then.

After TVs, former CM late J. Jayalalithaa gave free mixer-grinders during one of the elections and now, it is the turn of much bigger gadgets like washing machines and refrigerators.

While the AIADMK promised free Amma washing machines, it rival DMK promised free refrigerators to the voters, if voted to power.

Not just these, the AIADMK promised every ration card holder free solar stove, six LPG gas refills a year. It also vowed to supply the ration to the doorsteps of the ration card holders, if re-elected to power, just like in Andhra Pradesh.

In addition to these, it also vowed to provide every family below the poverty line with a government job and construct houses for free for all the shelterless.

From supplying free power and offering loan waivers to farmers and small industries, the political parties in the country have gone a long way and are now depositing money directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, distributing modern electronic gadgets useful in daily life.

The AIADMK also promised several sops to various sections of the society like auto drivers, weavers and journos.

The DMK promised one-year maternity leave and free bus passes to women to travel in city buses, apart from one-time financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per year to all ration card holders.

The DMK also announced a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 every month for homemakers and this has become a bone of contention between the DMK and AIADMK. The AIADMK claimed that DMK chief Stalin got wind of it and made an announcement hurriedly at a public meeting in Tiruchy.

To gain an edge over the opposition party, the AIADMK increased the amount to Rs 1,500. Meanwhile, MNM leader and thespian Kamal Haasan said that Stalin copied the promise from their party manifesto. MNM promised the amount as salary to homemakers as their services at home were not being recognised. The party also promised free computers to every household.

Getting things for free would certainly enthuse anybody and it has to be seen which party would be able to secure the trust of voters during the elections in the neighbouring state.