Lok Sabha polls: MK Stalin's DMK releases manifesto, list of candidates

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, along with DMK leaders, released the party's manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and announced its candidate list in Chennai on Wednesday (Mar 20).

The DMK manifesto pledges statehood for Puducherry and vows to ban National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate)NEET.The DMK, in the manifesto, said till the office of governor is abolished, a governor should be appointed in consultation with the chief minister of the state.

Addressing the audience, MK Stalin stressed onDMK's commitment offulfilling the promises made in the manifestoand criticised the BJP for not living up to the expectations made by it in its manifesto during the previous election.

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He asserted that the manifesto reflects the people's aspirations, not just the party's agenda. He highlighted INDIA alliance's vision and the manifesto's focus on Tamil Nadu's welfare.

Addressing a gathering afterreleasing the manifesto, MK Stalin said, "It is the DMK which makes the manifesto before elections and continues to do what we say, this is what our leaders taught us. As Kanimozhi said we went all over the state and listened to various people. It is not only a DMK manifesto but the people's manifesto. When the BJP came to power in 2014, they destroyed India. None of the election promises were fulfilled. We have formed the INDIA alliance and we will form our government in 2024. In our manifesto, we have announced special schemes for Tamil Nadu and schemes for every district are given in this manifesto."

Kanimozhi's perspective

DMK MP Kanimozhi expressed gratitude for leading the manifesto committee. She underscored the significance of the Dravidian model in Tamil Nadu's progress and envisioned extending its principles nationwide. Kanimozhi laid emphasis onsecuring substantial Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and beyond.

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“The manifesto of the DMK is always an important one for us. I thank our leader MK Stalin for allowing me to head the manifesto committee and thank all the committee members. We saw how much this Dravidian model government has done for the people of the state. This election manifesto will help us to take our Dravidian model all over India. I am sure of securing not only 40 seats in Tamil Nadu but a good number of seats in the country too…," said Kanimozhi.

The DMK also vowedto oppose the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act Rules and Uniform Civil Code. It proposed amending Article 361 and designating Thirukural as a national book. The manifesto promisedIndian citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamils, monthly financial assistance for women, and revising fuel prices.

The DMK plans to contest 21 Lok Sabha seats (22 including Namakkal, where KMDK will contest on the DMK symbol), with allies contesting the remaining 18 seats in Tamil Nadu.

List of DMK candidates

1. North Chennai: Kalanidhi Veerasami
2. South Chennai: Tamilachi Thangapandian
3. Central Chennai: Dayanidhi Maran
4. Thuthukudi: Kanimozhi
5. Sriperumbatur: TR Balu
6. Arakonam: Jagathrachahan
7. Vellore: Kadhir Anand
8. Thiruvanamalai: Annadurai
9. Aarani: Dharani
10. Selam: Selvagapathi
11. Erode: Prakash
12. Niligiri: A Raja
13. Kovai: Ganapathi Rajkumar
14. Perambalur: Arun Neru
15. Tanjore: Murasoli
16. Theni: Thanga Tamil Selvam
17. Thenkasi: Rani

With a comprehensive manifesto andlist of candidates, the DMK is gearingup for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

(With inputs from agencies)