The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) on Thursday unveiled its manifesto for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, promising the creation of five capital cities and ruling out freebies, with party chief Seeman arguing such measures deepen poverty.
Releasing the over 400-page document, Seeman said the proposal to establish multiple capitals was aimed at ensuring balanced regional development across the state.
Under the plan, Chennai would serve as the technological capital, Coimbatore as the industrial hub, Madurai as the cultural capital, Kanyakumari as the philosophical centre, while the State Secretariat would be shifted to Tiruchirappalli.
He said the idea was to decentralise governance and promote equitable growth.
“What we have released today is our dream. We are keen to achieve it. Now they are in your hands (in the form of manifesto),” Seeman told reporters.
“We will gradually move ahead. We will only make progress in our initiative. We will not go back on poll promises. We want to give quality education, quality healthcare...,” he added.
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The manifesto outlines a range of welfare measures across agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and education. Seeman also promised free education, healthcare and drinking water if the party is voted to power.
Taking aim at rival parties, he criticised what he described as a growing culture of populist giveaways.
“Stalin says free buses for women, while AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami offers free buses for men. Vijay says he will give Rs 2,500 for women. If this trend continues, subsequently the state's economy will get affected as there is no source of revenue,” he said, referring to M. K. Stalin, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and Vijay.
Questioning schemes that provide gold to women at the time of marriage, Seeman said employment generation would be a more sustainable alternative.
“Instead of giving gold, I will give a job to the bridegroom, making him capable of buying gold on his own. I will make him stand on his own instead of depending on others,” he said.
The NTK’s proposals come amid intensifying political competition ahead of the Assembly polls, with parties sharpening their welfare pitches and economic narratives.
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