Tamil Nadu elections 2026: Freebies war heats up between DMK, AIADMK & rivals

Tamil Nadu elections 2026 are heating up, and the battle is no longer just about governance, it’s about promises. From free bus rides and LPG cylinders to cash transfers, gold schemes, and household benefits, political parties have rolled out an array of welfare measures to win voters. In this episode of Elections With TOI, we break down the high-stakes contest between MK Stalin’s DMK and the AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with players like Vijay, V K Sasikala, BJP and Congress. We explore how Tamil Nadu’s freebie culture evolved—from M G Ramachandran to J Jayalalithaa—and why it continues to dominate politics today. Is this welfare model empowering citizens or creating dependency? As spending rises and concerns grow, the big question remains—how sustainable is this model, and what does it mean for voters?