Chennai, April 9
Populism in Tamil Nadu would seem to have run its course. The promises of freebies appear to have cut no ice with the electorate and the two rival political parties, DMK and the AIADMK have stopped focusing on them in the campaign for the April 13 election.

The DMK's election manifesto before the previous election had promised free colour TVs and PDS rice at Rs one per kilo. It turned the tide then in DMK's favour. But a similar announcement this time, promising wet grinders or mixies has failed to evoke a similar response.

The DMK's manifesto, which also promises laptops for students and free bus passes for citizens above 58, was expected to be a winning strategy, forcing AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa to promise four grams of gold for mangalsutra and also wet grinders, mixies, fans and laptops for students. So, whichever party loses, the Tamil Nadu voter will be the winner.

All the three items, namely wet grinder, mixies and fans, would be given free to all ration card holders, promised the AIADM manifesto. Jayalalithaa also surpassed Karunanidhi with announcements of free land, houses, free uniform for students, chappals, besides 20 kg of free rice through PDS outlets for all ration card holders.While Karunanidhi promised laptops for engineering students alone, Jayalalithaa said she would give laplops to plus one and plus two students and all the college students.

But people across the state seem more anxious this time about roads, bridge, drainage and drinking water.