Manifestos play a crucial role in any election; they can even make or break political parties. In the 2006 elections, for instance, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) poll manifesto promised rice at ₹2 per kg, free distribution of colour TV sets, and gas stoves, among others. This ‘hero’ of a manifesto catapulted the party to power, according to political experts.

Parties like the AMMK, MDMK, and TMC(M) have also released their manifestos.