In a pioneering move for Tamil Nadu's political landscape, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is turning to artificial intelligence to help shape its vision for the state's future. The party's 12-member poll manifesto preparation committee, chaired by Member of Parliament Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, is creating an AI-based web portal designed to collect and analyze public suggestions for its 2026 assembly election manifesto.
AI to Power Public Participation
Chief Minister M K Stalin is set to launch the innovative web portal soon. According to a DMK functionary involved in the process, the platform will allow citizens to directly post their suggestions and demands. The integrated artificial intelligence system will then automatically categorize these inputs under common themes, streamlining the analysis of a potentially vast number of public responses.
Party leaders have highlighted that this marks the first instance of a political party in Tamil Nadu adopting an AI-enabled platform to crowdsource its election manifesto. This digital initiative aims to complement the party's traditional methods of consultation.
Blending Tech with Traditional Outreach
While embracing technology, the DMK will not abandon its conventional approach. The manifesto committee is scheduled to conduct in-person meetings with diverse groups across Tamil Nadu. Their itinerary includes consultations with businessmen, farmers, fishermen, weavers, college students, and women from all regions.
However, party leaders believe the new online portal will significantly broaden participation, enabling people from every corner of the state and all social backgrounds to have their voices heard. Those unable to attend the physical meetings will have a direct channel to submit their views through this digital platform.
A More Cautious and Implementable Promise
This tech-driven approach comes with a renewed focus on realism. In the 2021 assembly election, the DMK made a substantial 505 poll promises. The party later faced criticism from opposition groups, which accused the government of failing to implement several key assurances, such as the old pension scheme and a 100 LPG subsidy.
In light of this feedback, the manifesto committee has decided on a more cautious strategy for 2026. A committee member revealed that Kanimozhi Karunanidhi emphasized the inclusion of promises that can be realistically implemented within the government's term, an approach the committee has unanimously agreed to adopt.
The committee, which held its inaugural meeting on December 22, is expected to embark on a statewide tour next week. This tour will cover all four regions of Tamil Nadu—north, south, west, and central—for direct interactions. A senior DMK leader assured that the entire exercise is far from symbolic, stating, "Suggestions from the public will be seriously examined and incorporated wherever feasible."
