Why Tamil Nadu parties hit 'delete' on old promises when elections come around

Tamil Nadu parties are quietly dropping or softening several earlier poll promises as they reshape their election manifestos to match changing political priorities and voter sentiment. Key omissions include the long-promised Sethusamudram shipping canal project, shifts in stance on Sri Lankan Tamil issues, and reduced emphasis on welfare expansions like rural employment guarantees and OBC creamy layer reforms. Both DMK and ADMK have also moved away from earlier commitments on sensitive topics such as prohibition, reservation changes, NEET opposition, and symbolic projects like naming airports or altering governance reforms. Leaders justify these changes as “practical” adjustments, with one ADMK leader saying, “We are taking a practical approach in our promises.”