The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party released its manifesto on Sunday, which included a promise of smartphones to poor people and free 3G and 4G services, as well as enforcing prohibition in the state. The manifesto also promised a crop and educational loan waiver, which the party said will cost Rs 11,000 crore, The Times of India reported.

The DMK promised to enforce a ban on the sale of alcohol in Tamil Nadu if voted to power. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had also said her party will bring in prohibition if re-elected. The state will lose nearly one-third of its revenue if prohibition is enforced in Tamil Nadu.

Other freebies offered by the DMK were free laptops and tablets to 16 lakh students in the state, in addition to the promise of reducing the cost of Tamil Nadu's Aavin milk by Rs 7 and implementing steps to create jobs, especially in the government. While these measures are aimed at attracting all sections of voters, the DMK also singled out fisherfolk in the state and promised to include them under the Scheduled Tribes category and call them "marine tribes". Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are scheduled for May 16.