DMK bets on petrol, diesel price cuts, 75% job quota for locals to win votes in Tamil Nadu

Releasing the party's manifesto for the April 6 Assembly election, Tamil Nadu's principal Opposition party, DMK, on Saturday promised legislation to reserve 75 per cent of jobs for locals, reduce the prices of petrol and diesel in the state, and providing a Rs 100 subsidy to LPG cylinders availed by families.

Party President M K Stalin said the manifesto has over 500 promises. He announced that a dedicated ministry will be formed to oversee their implementation if DMK was to be voted to power. “DMK manifesto is always considered as the hero of the elections. This time, many said the candidate list is the hero. I am releasing the second hero of this elections which is the manifesto,” Stalin said, releasing the document at party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam.

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He said special courts will be set up to try cases of corruption against ministers of the current AIADMK government. The manifesto also promised to waive off education loans availed by students who are within 30 years of age.

The manifesto promises to reduce the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 4, respectively, by the way of cutting down the state taxes on petroleum products and providing of Rs 100 subsidy to LPG cylinders availed by families. Besides, Stalin said the price of Aavin packaged milk will be reduced by Rs 3 per litre, and government school students will be provided free tablet computers with internet connections.

The ruling AIADMK had announced six free LPG cylinders a year for every household.

The manifesto also covered core campaign issues of the DMK like NEET. Stalin promised to abolish the entrance test in Tamil Nadu and gave an assurance that it will be the first legislation to be passed by the new Assembly. He said the new DMK government will bring legislation to reserve 75 per cent of jobs in industries to locals, while promising to accord priority to first-generation graduates in government jobs.

Playing the secular card, the manifesto promises Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 200 crore for renovation and consecration of temples, and churches and mosques, respectively. The DMK also announced providing Rs 25,000 each for 1 lakh Hindus to undertake spiritual tours.

The manifesto also has several promises for women – enhancing the maternity assistance to Rs 24,000, free travel for women in town buses, and free sanitary pads to school and college students.