Shruti Suman
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Wednesday, unveiled the election manifesto of his party, DMK, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also announced the list of candidates the party will field in the forthcoming polls. In the manifesto, MK Stalin pledged to grant statehood to Puducherry and to ban NEET exams.
Addressing a gathering after the manifesto release, Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that it is the DMK that formulates manifestos before elections and commits to fulfilling the promises made therein.
The manifesto also advocates for the appointment of a governor in consultation with the state’s chief minister until the office of governor is abolished.
Stalin asserted that the manifesto isn’t just the DMK’s vision but a reflection of the people’s aspirations. He criticized the BJP, alleging that it failed to fulfill its election promises after coming to power in 2014 and claimed that the DMK-led INDIA alliance will secure victory in 2024.
Key promises outlined in the manifesto include:
- Non-implementation of the CAA and UCC.
- Ban on NEET exams.
- Amendment of Article 361.
- Recognition of Thirukural as a ‘national book’.
- Reduction of LPG prices to Rs 500.
- Selling petrol at Rs 75 and diesel at Rs 65 per litre within the state.
- Non-implementation of the National Education Policy.
- Providing 33% reservation for women in parliament and assembly.
- Conducting government job exams in Tamil.
- Granting Indian citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils who returned to India.
- Providing Rs 1000 monthly allowance for women if the party comes to power.
DMK announced its intention to contest on 21 Lok Sabha seats (22 seats when Namakkal is included, as KMDK will contest on the DMK symbol), with its allies contesting in the remaining 18 Lok Sabha segments in Tamil Nadu.
