Overview
- AIADMK released a first-phase manifesto with five pledges, including ₹2,000 a month to women-headed families, free city-bus travel for men, an Amma Illam housing push, a 150‑day rural jobs plan, and a ₹25,000 subsidy under the Amma Two‑Wheeler scheme.
- Edappadi K. Palaniswami asserted that Congress may exit the DMK-led front and predicted about 210 seats for the AIADMK–BJP alliance, while DMK and Congress figures publicly signalled the partnership remains in place.
- Palaniswami escalated anti-incumbency messaging against the Stalin government, alleging law-and-order lapses, corruption and unfulfilled promises, and defended aligning with the BJP as electoral consolidation.
- AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, are set to hear Tamil Nadu Congress leaders on January 18 on seat-sharing and demands for participation in government, with DMK reported to oppose power-sharing.
- BJP and AIADMK leaders view Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s January 23 Madurantakam event as a platform to project NDA unity, with ongoing talks reported with smaller parties such as DMDK, AMMK, O. Panneerselvam’s camp and Puthiya Tamizhagam.