With the announcement of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election expected shortly, the political temperature in the state has begun to climb steadily. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance is working to retain power, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)–Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine is intensifying efforts to wrest control. In Coimbatore, AIADMK functionaries have begun distributing gifts constituency-wise. In what is being described as a move to checkmate S.P. Velumani’s strategy, Senthil Balaji is said to be readying a surprise counter.

In Tamil Nadu politics, largesse and cash were once largely associated with bypolls. Now, the culture of gifts and money appears to be asserting itself even ahead of a full-fledged Assembly election. DMK, AIADMK, BJP and Congress administrators have already begun distributing gifts in constituencies where they are focusing their energies. The Kongu belt, in particular, is witnessing intense political activity. In Coimbatore — long considered an AIADMK bastion — the DMK is working to breach the stronghold.

To blunt the strategies of AIADMK’s Kongu region strongman S.P. Velumani, the DMK has fielded its own Kongu face, Senthil Balaji. During the 2022 local body elections, the DMK had distributed hot boxes and anklets in Coimbatore, a move that reportedly hurt the AIADMK. Learning from that experience, the AIADMK has now begun distributing hot boxes and other gifts across all constituencies in Coimbatore even before the formal announcement of the 2026 Assembly polls.

Coimbatore district has around 3,000 polling booths, each with an average of 1,000 to 1,200 voters. “We have divided each booth into roughly 250 to 300 families and are distributing gift items accordingly. In all 10 constituencies of the district, hot boxes and large silver plates are being distributed. We have placed orders for 10 lakh hot boxes and silver plates,” party sources said.

On average, about one lakh families per constituency are expected to receive these gifts. In Velumani’s Thondamuthur constituency, special distribution includes dhotis, shirts, sarees, flasks and umbrellas — six items in total. The DMK’s Rs 5,000 women’s entitlement scheme had earlier put the Opposition on the defensive. But Velumani, without much public noise, has drawn attention towards the AIADMK through systematic distribution of gifts.

He is said to be moving his pieces carefully to retain AIADMK’s influence by securing all 10 constituencies in Coimbatore. The move has reportedly unsettled the DMK cadre. In response, Senthil Balaji is said to be planning an aggressive counter-strategy.

DMK functionaries in Coimbatore said, “The average value of the gifts distributed by the AIADMK ranges between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. March 1 marks Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s birthday. On that occasion, we are planning to distribute gift items worth Rs 2,000 in Coimbatore, including ‘anda’ vessels and silver coins. The list has already been finalised. It is not easy to predict how Senthil Balaji thinks.”

They added that during the 2022 local body elections, even senior functionaries were unaware until the last minute about the distribution of hot boxes and anklets, which were given door-to-door as surprise gifts. That move had a significant electoral impact. “This time too, surprise gift items are being planned. Around one lakh families per constituency will receive gifts. After the election, the tag of Coimbatore as an AIADMK fortress will change — it will become a DMK stronghold,” a party functionary asserted.