MDMK general secretary Vaiko was addressing reporters after releasing the election manifesto in Chennai on Tuesday (March 17, 2026). | Photo credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
In its manifesto, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) reiterated its stand in favor of total prohibition, a demand not shared by other components of the DMK-led front.
The manifesto released by party general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) said it was the party’s policy that Tamil Nadu should be free of alcohol and other drugs “responsible for the degeneration of the youth”. “Vaiko undertook a 1,500 km walk to highlight the issue,” it noted.
She further said that alcohol has destroyed the lives of young people, while drugs smuggled into the state through sea routes have hit students hard. “We will urge the state and union governments to strengthen border controls to prevent drug smuggling,” the manifesto added.
According to the document, the drinking regime of the youth was one of the causes of crimes against women. “We will take steps to enact a law that provides life imprisonment for such offenders as they are unfit to live in civil society,” the party said.
The party, advocating measures to boost public transport, which it said was causing a daily loss of ₹18.9 crore, proposed the creation of a social commitment fund to promote free bus travel for women. It also proposed a direct budget replacement for social security programs and the introduction of more electric vehicles.
Pointing out that the transportation of minerals from Tamil Nadu to other states has deprived the state of its resources and led to accidents, the party said it would seek its ban.
The manifesto also called for the creation of a separate legal wing for restitution of temple land, online publication of temple accounts, identification of temples eligible for UNESCO recognition and conducting pujas in Tamil in all temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
Published – 17 March 2026 21:49 IST
