On the eve of the forthcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the state is witnessing a fierce war of populism between the ruling DMK and its arch rival AIADMK.

Sending strong indications that she would not lag behind in embracing populism for the sake of votes and coming to power, AIADMK chief Jayalalitha said in her election manifesto today that she would give to people more than what promised by DMK if it came to power.

While DMK announced free mixers and grinders to women, Jaya said through her manifesto that she would give free mixers and grinders plus a fan to all women in the state. Jaya also promised to provide three phase power connections to all households in the state in four years to meet the power requirements of using mixers, grinders and fans.

All families below poverty line will get 20 liters of drinking water daily and 20 kg of free rice every month, according to the manifesto released by Jaya.

With regard to laptops announced by DMK manifesto for all first year students of SC, ST,BC and MBC doing their graduation, Jaya has beaten it by promising free laptops to all class XI students, and all college students. The manifesto has also promised four free sets of uniforms and a pair of shoes for schoolchildren. As an added attraction, the AIADMK has promised to form a students’ protection force for guarding children against attacks and trafficking.

This is not the end of the freebies announced by the AIADMK. It goes further by adding free houses of 300 sq ft each, costing Rs 1.8 lakh, to three lakh BPL families and 60,000 cows for 6,000 families increasing milk production from 2.5 million liters to 10 million liters in the state. Families below the poverty line will also get four sheep each.

Wait, it is not yet over.  The manifesto has promised loans up to Rs 10 lakh to women's self help groups and Rs 12,000 as cash gift to pregnant women during four months of maternity leave.

Marriage assistance for poor women would be increased to Rs 25,000 with a four-gram gold coin as a special gift. For those women who are diploma holders, the wedding assistance would be Rs 50,000.

While the DMK has promised free bus passes to all those who are above 58 years to move in cities and towns, the AIADMK has promised free passes to them to travel by bus across the entire state.