Ahead Of 2026 Elections, DMK Faces Heat Over OPS Rollback, MSP And Welfare Gaps

As the DMK gears up for the 2026 Assembly Elections with the slogan "We do what we say," a growing debate has emerged over the party's actual track record. While the party maintains that most 2021 promises have been fulfilled, a closer look at the data suggests that many flagship promises remain unfulfilled or significantly altered.

The student community, a crucial voting bloc, has expressed dissatisfaction over changes in education-related commitments. The promised waiver of education loans has not materialised for a majority of graduates. The much-publicised free laptop scheme was also replaced with a plan to distribute tablets, but many students say these devices have yet to reach a large section of beneficiaries, fuelling criticism and allegations of "tab politics."

Farmers' groups have highlighted a gap between electoral promises and ground reality. The DMK had assured a minimum support price of ₹2,500 per quintal for paddy and ₹4,000 per tonne for sugarcane. However, many farmers say they are still unable to secure these rates and remain dependent on private buyers. Concerns have also been raised over the Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation Act, 2023, with fears that agricultural land may be prioritised for industrial use over farmers' interests.

For government employees, the rollback on the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) remains a major concern. Despite promising its restoration during the 2021 campaign, the government later cited financial constraints and introduced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) instead. Employee unions have criticised the move, calling it a rebranded version of the contributory pension system. Meanwhile, sanitation workers and Anganwadi staff continue to demand basic rights such as weekly holidays and wage revisions that were promised earlier.

Public dissatisfaction has also been driven by rising costs and service-related concerns. Electricity consumers have faced tariff hikes, contrary to earlier assurances of reduced power bills. The promise to waive the ₹50 service charge for three-phase connections has been overshadowed by increased new connection fees.

The state-run dairy cooperative Aavin has also come under scrutiny, with complaints about technical glitches and quality issues. Although prices were reduced earlier, the absence of an independent milk price commission has left both producers and consumers dissatisfied.

Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, the DMK has announced a new welfare proposal-an ₹8,000 coupon for homemakers to purchase household appliances. However, critics and political observers have questioned the feasibility of the scheme, raising concerns about funding given the state's financial position.

As the campaign gathers pace, the DMK faces mounting criticism from opposition parties and various social groups, who argue that several 2021 promises remain unmet. While the government continues to highlight its "Dravidian Model" of governance, the upcoming polls are likely to test whether voters focus on new assurances or hold the party accountable for past commitments.